Owen SWCD Offers Tree Seedling Order Forms

Autumn is a great time to plan for spring tree planting.  The IDNR Division of Forestry will once again make high quality tree seedlings of various species available at extremely economical prices.  The Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District currently has tree order forms for the 2006-2007 season.  Order forms may be obtained by visiting the SWCD office at 2534 E. State Highway 46 east of Spencer.  Forms may also be obtained through the mail by calling the SWCD office at 812-829-2605.

The mission of the IDNR Nursery Program is to grow and distribute to landowners high quality plant materials for conservation plantings.  Conservation plantings include plantings for timber, wildlife, windbreaks, soil and water protection, reclamation, carbon sequestering, and education.  By purchasing seedlings, the buyer agrees to plant them in Indiana for conservation plantings as stated in the Nursery Program mission.

The IDNR Nursery Program produces the highest quality stock that knowledge and resources permit.  A diverse group of species is produced from the best seed sources available, which includes progeny tested seed orchards.  All seed lots are mixed to ensure that each customer receives the highest quality and most diverse stock possible.

The deadline for submitting an order to be processed in the lottery is October 20, 2006 by 4:00 pm E.D.T. (3rd Friday in October).  Phone, fax and mail orders are accepted.  A credit card is not necessary to place an order by phone.  The lottery is conducted as a computerized random drawing. Orders received by the lottery deadline have the best chance of being filled. Orders received after the lottery deadline are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  After the order is processed in the lottery, the buyer will receive an invoice in November.  If the order was received after the lottery deadline, an invoice will be sent approximately 2 weeks after receipt of the order.  There is a $10 (non-refundable) order processing fee for each order. 

Orders may be shipped to your home via UPS or picked up at one of the state nurseries.  Jasper-Pulaski is located in northwestern Indiana and Vallonia is located in south central Indiana.  Shipping season runs from late February through May, depending on weather.  Southern counties are shipped first and shipment continues north as the weather warms.

In addition to standard seedlings, DNR is offering an exciting new line of select seedlings this year.  Black Walnut, Red Oak and White Oak seedlings from top performing seed orchards will be available.  The parent trees of these seedlings have been selected for superior growth and form characteristics.  Also new this year is a Hybrid Butternut seedling.  Hybrid Butternut is a naturally occurring hybrid between Native Butternut and Japanese Walnut.  These trees have many of the same characteristics in growth, form and nut production but appear to have a much higher level of resistance to Butternut canker.

Why plant trees?  Trees in your backyard can be home to many different types of wildlife. Trees can also reduce your heating and cooling costs, help clean the air, add beauty and color, provide shelter from the wind and the sun, and add value to your home.  On the farm, tree plantings can shelter livestock and crops when they are used as barriers to slow winds that blow across large cropped fields and through farmsteads. Windbreaks can be beneficial in reducing blowing and drifting snow along roadways. Farmstead and field windbreaks and tree plantings are key components of a conservation system. They also help prevent dust particles from adding to smog over urban areas.  Trees for timber can provide an additional source of income and add value to your land.   

As you plan your tree planting remember that trees add beauty and so much more.  For a complete listing of species available through the IDNR Nursery Program, contact the Owen SWCD office for an order form or visit the Division of Forestry web site at dnr.IN.gov/forestry.