Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Underway

ALBANY, NY (01/26/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery has begun taking orders for its annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings. Ordering will continue until mid-May through DEC's Saratoga Nursery.

"The State Nursery has provided trees for erosion control and other uses since the early 1900s," DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "With the challenges presented by global warming, planting trees is just as important today as it was 100 years ago."

DEC's Saratoga Tree Nursery produces more than 50 species of trees and shrubs for planting on public and private land. The objective of the program is to provide low-cost, native planting materials from known New York sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state=s environment for future generations. The Saratoga Nursery also offers a few non-native species which can enhance wildlife planting. For instance, torengo crabapple provides a winter food source for wild turkey, grouse and deer.

The minimum order is 100 for conifers and wildlife shrubs, 25 for hardwoods, and 50 for container stock. Mixed species packets of 30-100 wildlife shrubs are also available for homeowners to attract wildlife. The Saratoga Nursery sells primarily bare-root stock, but a few species are available as containerized stock (grown in a greenhouse).

Landowners can get planting advice from their nearest DEC forestry office or private forestry consultant. The brochure and order form "2010 Trees and Shrubs" can be found on the DEC's website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7127.html or by calling the Saratoga Tree Nursery at (518) 581-1439.

To order seedlings by phone, call the Saratoga Tree Nursery on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (518) 587-1120. Call early for best selection. Mail orders are also accepted and can be sent to the Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Orders may be placed through mid-May. Seedlings are shipped from mid-April to mid -May.