COLUMBUS, OH - Orders for tree seedlings are now being taken by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. The seedlings, available in groups of 25, are one to two years old and bare rooted. A minimum order of 100 trees is required.
"We are encouraging Ohio landowners to plan ahead for any tree-planting activities they might be doing next spring," said John Dorka, chief of the Division of Forestry. "That's when the seedlings will be 'lifted' from our tree nursery in Marietta for distribution." The Division of Forestry, the state's largest producer of tree seedlings in the state, sells more than 3,000,000 trees each year. The seedlings are sold for use in reforestation, wildlife habitat development, erosion control, windbreaks and other conservation projects. "There are many benefits in restoring lands to productive forests," Dorka said. "Properly managed, these forests can provide watershed protection, backcountry recreation, aesthetics, wildlife habitat and timber production."
The seedlings are also used for the state's Field Windbreak Program, which completed this year's planting season with more than 35 miles of trees planted to protect farmland soil from wind erosion. More than 40 varieties of trees are available for purchase, including white pine, sweetgum, white oak, red oak, black walnut and bald cypress. Species selection and availability are best in the fall. Some species, such as burr oak, hazelnut and sycamore, are in short supply and sell out early.
Ohio is now more than 30 percent forested, compared to just 12 percent forested in the early 1900s. In the past 80 years, the Division of Forestry has planted more than 500,000,000 trees for reforestation efforts in the state.
Selecting the proper type of tree for a particular location and soil characteristic is essential for a successful planting. The Division of Forestry's service foresters are available to help landowners in choosing the right trees. Assistance is recommended for plantings on more than 3 acres.
For availability of various tree species and prices, or for a list of service forester office locations by county and telephone numbers, contact the Division of Forestry toll free at 1-877-691-8733 or online at ohiodnr.com.