Annual tree seedling sale is underway
- col-jane-houin
- February 27, 2018
- 1496
What makes the dawn redwood so unique compared to our other trees is that it is a deciduous conifer. That means that even though it is a cone-bearing tree with needs, it also is deciduous.
When the temperatures start to rise and the rains starts to fall, we all start thinking about spring. And around our office, springtime not only means it’s time to start thinking about planting crops, but also planting trees. So sure enough, Holmes SWCD is once again busy with our annual tree seedling sale.
This year we are excited to offer some new tree species to our lineup including the dawn redwood. Personally I love seeing the dawn redwood added to our lineup, not only because of its uniqueness as a tree specimen, but also because it makes me feel skilled in my ability to grow a seedling and keep it alive.
What makes the dawn redwood so unique compared to our other trees is that it is a deciduous conifer. That means that even though it is a cone-bearing tree with needs, it is also deciduous. Those soft, beautiful needles turn a vibrant rust color in the fall and are shed just like the leaves from the oaks and maples we know and love.
Keep that in mind when fall comes our way. If your dawn redwood loses its needles, it’s not dead, so don’t cut it down. It’s just resting for the winter.
The dawn redwood loves wet areas and thrives there, and it is capable of growing upward of 3 feet each year. My daughter, a high school freshman this year, brought home a tiny seedling in elementary school one year, and it’s already well over 40 feet tall. It’s planted at the end of my driveway, and its beautiful shape and unique fall coloring always bring compliments.
Of course the history of the dawn redwood also makes it near and dear to my heart. Known as a living fossil, this tree dates back to the time of the dinosaurs and was once thought to be extinct. Up until the 1940s this tree had only been seen in fossil records until they were rediscovered in remote valleys of China. A collaborative global effort led to the collection of seeds from these trees, which were then distributed around the world, including seeds that were shared with Secrest Arboretum in Wooster.
In addition to the dawn redwood, this year we are excited to once again offer traditional evergreen and deciduous seedling packets but also a number of single ornamental seedlings as well.
Most of our evergreen packets are sold in packs of 25 with 10- to 18-inch-tall seedlings. Those include Norway spruce, Douglas fir, white pine and Scotch pine. New this year, we also will offer a five-pack of 18- to 24-inch American arborvitae. Evergreen seedling packs all sell for $15 each with the exception of the white pine, which sells for $28 but is a larger-rooted transplant.
All of this year’s deciduous tree seedling packets also will be sold in five-packs for $10. This year we will offer tulip poplars, red oaks and sugar maples.
A number of new seedlings are being offered as single-pack ornamentals this year. Common witchazel and white flowering dogwoods will be sold for $3 each, and dwarf chinkapin oaks and dawn redwoods will be sold for $7 each.
Tree sale orders can be placed online at www.HolmesSWCD.com/treesale or you can request an order form from our office at 330-674-2811. Orders will be accepted while supplies last through March 13 and must be picked up from the Holmes County Highway Garage on April 12 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.