Whether you have a quarter acre or 100 acres to plant, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Forest Nursery has seedlings for your project.
Orders are being taken for fall 2015 and spring 2016 tree planting. Bare-root seedlings can be purchased for 25-to-55 cents per seedling plus tax, shipping and handling, for large-scale plantings, depending upon species and size. For smaller areas, like acreages and backyards, create-a-packets consisting of up to four species totaling 200 seedlings may be purchased for $110.
For butterfly and pollinator enthusiasts, the nursery has created a brand new pollinator packet.
“The DNR forestry bureau wants to help homeowners and landowners create butterfly habitat,” says state forester Paul Tauke. “Many Iowans want to help provide habitat, but don’t know where to begin. This pollinator packet is the perfect way to invite butterflies to your backyard.”
The pollinator packet provide host and nectar species for more than 16 species of butterflies and includes 50 each of buttonbush, redosier dogwood, chokecherry and bur oak. The cost is $110.
In addition to pollinator species, the State Forest Nursery offers more than 40 species that provide a variety of spring flowers, fall color and a host of wildlife habitat.
“Order early to insure you get the species you want most,” says Tauke. “We do sell out of some of the most popular species, as the season progresses.”
Both fall and spring are great times to plant trees. Seedlings are usually shipped beginning the last week of October for fall planting, and April – May for spring planting.
The DNR district foresters can assist landowner in determining what species are best for their soils and goals. Landowners can find their district forester’s contact information at www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/General/forestry_staff.pdf.
To view the current seedling catalog, or order trees, go to www.iowatreeplanting.com or call the nursery at 1-800-865-2477.
