DNR seedling sale in full swing

[Lee Borgersen]

                                                               Aug. 28, 2014

                            DNR seedlings sales are in full swing

  .........
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery is accepting seedling orders for April and May pickup or delivery in 2015.

Millions of seedlings will be available for the 2015 planting season, including 21 species of native bareroot trees and shrubs grown from seeds collected in Minnesota.

"This year we've included some old favorites such as Tamarack and Black Spruce, and again will have our popular specialty packets available," said Craig VanSickle, nurseries supervisor.

Visit the DNR's website at www.mndnr.gov/nurseries for a list of available species and to download the tree seedling order form. Contact the nurseries at 800-657-3767 to order seedlings.

A minimum of 500 seedlings must be ordered, which is enough seedlings to cover an acre of land. Seedlings vary in size from 6 to 18 inches in height, and prices start as low as $125 for 500 seedlings.

These seedlings can be used for reforestation, improving wildlife habitat, creating shelterbelts, developing green buffers to protect water quality and cleaning the air by removing carbon dioxide.

Minnesota landowners with forest stewardship plans should contact their plan writer for cost-share program information that cover costs to purchase and plant seedlings. Contact your local Forestry office or visit www.mndnr.gov/foreststewardship to learn about the forest stewardship program.

By law, seedlings purchased from Minnesota state forest may not be planted for ornamental purposes, resold, given away or removed with roots attached for a period of 10 years from the date of purchase. Seedlings also must be planted in Minnesota.