DNR nursery seedlings now on sale

[Lee Borgersen]

  DNR nursery seedlings now on sale.

(Released August 17, 2015)
 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources state forest nursery is accepting orders for April and May seedling pickup or delivery in 2016.



Millions of seedlings will be available for the 2016 planting season, including 21 species of native bareroot trees and shrubs grown from seeds collected in Minnesota.

“A number of species and packets are available,” said Craig VanSickle, DNR nursery supervisor. “Balsam fir, red pine and red oak seedlings are available, along with our fruiting shrub and evergreen packets. New this year is a deer packet to enhance your wildlife area.”

Visit the DNR’s website at mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery for a list of available species and tree seedling order form, or contact the nursery at 800-657-3767.

Private landowners may order a minimum of 500 seedlings, which is enough to cover an acre of land. The purchase can be broken down into increments of 100 of each species. Seedlings vary in size from 5 to 24 inches in height, and prices start as low as $125 for 500 seedlings.

Seedlings can be used to:
◾Reforest land.
◾Improve wildlife habitat.
◾Create shelterbelts and buffer zones.
◾Improve air and water quality.

Minnesota landowners with a forest stewardship plan should contact their plan writer for information on cost-share programs for purchasing and planting seedlings. They may contact a local forestry office or visit www.mndnr.gov/foreststewardship to learn about the forest stewardship program.