Spring is on the way, order your low-cost tree seedlings before March 31

MARCH 9 – An old Chinese proverb notes “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Kawartha Conservation wants to make it easy with the 2021 Tree Seedling Program.

The Tree Seedling Program provides an inexpensive way for landowners to plant a selection of tree seedlings and native shrubs on their property.

“Healthy forests provide many important functions on our landscape,” said Special Projects Assistant, Melissa Brown. “They improve air quality, surface and ground water quality, and provide wildlife habit. Landowners can contribute to the health of our watershed by establishing and managing forest cover through the 2021 Tree Seedling Program.”

Watershed residents are able to order low-cost bare root, one to three year old trees and shrubs in minimum quantities of 100 (trees) and 25 (shrubs) with prices varying with the different types of trees. The trees come in bundles of 25. Landowners can choose to purchase four bundles of 25 trees of the same species or two, three, four or more species depending on the size of their order.

Deciduous trees planted on the south and west side of a home can decrease a homeowners’ cooling costs by up to 50 per cent, while evergreen trees planted as wind breaks around homes can decrease heating costs by as much at 30 per cent.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest this year in our tree seedling program and we’re receiving orders on a daily basis,” said Ms. Brown. “This is a great program and a great opportunity for landowners across the watershed to invest in their property and support the environment at the same time.”

There will be two pickup dates for your convenience on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, 2021. Kawartha Conservation will contact you once your order has been paid, to schedule a pickup slot. Pickup will happen at Ken Reid Conservation Area located at 277 Kenrei Road in Lindsay.

The 2021 order form, as well as guidelines for selecting the best plants for their properties, can be found at https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/TreeSales/.

To place an order or to seek guidance about your tree planting project, please contact Melissa Brown at 705.328.2271 ext. 212 or MBrown@KawarthaConservation.com.