By Scott Eckert, County Extension Agent, Horticulture
The last 6 or 7 years have been rough on our trees and shrubs in windbreaks and wood lots. It may be time to replant. The Kansas Forest Service’s Conservation Tree Planting Program offers tree and shrub seedlings, as well as other items for use in conservation plantings. Plantings may function as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, wood lots, timber plantations, or Christmas tree farms, among others.
There are two distribution seasons available. The spring distribution is by far the largest and offers both bareroot and container-grown seedlings for sale. Orders are accepted from the first Monday in December through the first Monday in May. Although they accept orders beginning in December, they will not begin distributing seedlings until the second week of March. Non-plant items are offered throughout the year as availability allows.
The site can also be found online at https://www.kansasforests.org. There will be a link at the top of their home page saying “Conservation Trees Available”. This will allow you to place an order via the internet using MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.
During that time they also accept orders via phone (888-740-8733) or mail as well. Order forms can be printed by using the link and mailed to: Kansas Forest Service, 2610 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS, 66502. Orders are shipped via UPS anywhere in the lower 48 states but cannot be shipped to “P.O. Box” addresses.
The minimum order is 1 unit (25 seedlings). Orders must be placed in whole units and partial units or mixed units (such as 1/2 unit of eastern red cedar and 1/2 unit of Austrian pine) will not be accepted. There are limited numbers of seedlings available each year and selling out is not uncommon for many species.
Feel free to use their toll-free number (888-740-8733) for placing an order or simply obtaining more information regarding the Conservation Tree Planting Program. Also please feel free to browse their site and take advantage of the information offered regarding the species of plants offered, special care they may require, planting tips, and lots of other information.
