Trees for Tribs is a statewide effort to reforest New York's tributaries - small creeks and streams that flow into larger rivers and lakes - by planting trees and shrubs along these waterways. The goal is to create or improve riparian (streamside) buffers to decrease erosion, reduce flooding damage, improve wildlife and stream habitat, and protect water quality.
The Importance of Streamside Buffers
Vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, and grasses along waterways creates a natural buffer that protects the water and provides many benefits. An established streamside buffer:
- slows down and filters run off, preventing pollutants from getting into the water;
- intercepts and slows water from heavy rains, reducing the instances of flooding,
- shades streams, creating cooler temperature conditions to support fish species such as trout;
- holds soil in place, preventing streambanks from eroding away during heavy rains; and
- provides food and habitat for invertebrates, fish and other wildlife.
To find out more about stream buffers and their benefits, check out our stream buffer fact sheet.
Buffer in a Bag Program
Through Buffer in a Bag, organizations and private landowners can apply to receive a bag of free tree and shrub seedlings to help establish or improve a stream buffer. Each bag includes 25 native tree and shrub seedlings that are well-suited to streamside conditions. This year's species* are red osier dogwood, pussy willow, silky dogwood, red oak, and white spruce. The seedlings are approximately 1-2 feet tall and bare root, except for the red osier dogwood, which will be cuttings or “live stakes.” Cuttings do not have roots which makes them easier to plant but they require frequent watering to keep them moist after planting. Tree and shrub seedlings are provided by the Colonel William F. Fox Saratoga Memorial Tree Nursery. We have reached the maximum number of applicants and are no longer accepting new applications for the 2024 program. Thank you for your interest.
*Species selection is subject to changes based on availability and number of applicants.
Who is Eligible
Anyone who owns land in New York State with at least 50 feet along a stream or waterbody is eligible to receive a free bag of seedlings. Organizations or individuals with permission to plant on a given property with stream or waterbody access may also participate. Applicants are limited to one bag per property, per application period.
Program Requirements
- Recipients must ensure that someone will be at the delivery location to take care of the seedlings on the day that they are delivered. Information regarding the anticipated shipping dates will be provided in early to mid-April.
- Seedlings must be planted within a riparian area (along the bank of a river, creek, or stream or shore of a lake). This can include areas within a floodplain or within 300 feet of a stream. No road, structure, stormwater pond, drainage ditch, or other constructed feature should separate the planting area from the waterbody.
- Recipients must submit photos of the area after the seedlings have been planted.
- Recipients must agree to care for the seedlings for the first several years, until they are well established. Seedlings should be cared for on at least a weekly basis through the first summer after planting.
Participants will be asked to provide information on the seedlings' condition, as well as photos of the planting site, at the five-year mark. If you received a buffer-in-a-bag during the 2019 season, please e-mail photos to [email protected].
How to Apply
The application period for 2024 is closed. When the application period opens again in 2025, the link for the online application form will be available on this webpage.
