Right Tree, Right Place Program

The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) partners with the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) for the Right Tree, Right Place (RTRP) Program.

The RTRP Program began in 2011 as a pro-active tree removal and replacement program. Specifically, to target the removal of Bradford Pear trees, due to species' hazardous nature. However, over the years the RTRP Program has grown and transformed, its objectives now include not only managing the risk of other tree types (in addition to the Bradford Pear), but also expanding the urban tree canopy, reducing air temperature, mitigating stormwater runoff, increasing wildlife habitat & biodiversity, and beautifying the County. The program primarily works with street trees (trees that are in the public right-of-way). High risk trees, which include Bradford Pears, or any species that is considered dead or significantly decayed, are removed & replaced with a tree species suitable and well adapted to the built environment. In addition to tree removal and planting, the RTRP Program also removes tree stumps & prunes trees in need.

The RTRP Program works closely with homeowners and community civic associations, as well as the Prince George's County Council. An important part of the RTRP process is collaboration with community members to develop designs uniquely tailored to each community, using the input from those residents. Since its inception, the RTRP Program has worked with over 2,000 communities in Prince George's County, has removed approximately 18,000 high risk or dead trees, and has planted over 70,000 street trees. 

For more information about the Prince George's County RTRP Program, please contact Program Coordinator Collin Breidenbach, at trees@ndc-md.org.