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Forest Service offers seedling trees for fall planting

Richard Snell
Barton County Extension Agent

The Barton County Extension Office is taking orders for low-cost tree seedlings offered through the Kansas Forest Service conservation tree planting program. Orders will be taken September 7 through October 15.

Landowners are encouraged to place their orders as early as possible to ensure they get the plants they want. The price is $50 per bundle for 25 of a single variety.

Many of you have heard me say that fall is my favorite planting time as long as you have balled and burlapped or container grown trees with soil around them when planted.



They have added several new deciduous (broadleaf) tree species in addition to the traditional evergreens. These include: Bur Oak, English Oak, Sawtooth Oak, and Swamp White Oak. Evergreen species include: Austrian pine, Pinyon pine, Colorado blue spruce, Eastern red cedar, Ponderosa pine, and Southwestern white pine. We also have one shrub – fragrant sumac.

Approved uses for the plants include: habitat creation for game birds, song birds and wildlife; barriers to reduce noise pollution; home and/or livestock windbreaks; living snow fences; Christmas tree plantations; firewood lots; screens to hide ugly views; and property line marking.



The program offers one- to two-year-old species which are selected for hardiness in the central high plains. The seedlings are mostly 12-18 inch tall container-grown stock, depending on the species. Fall planting is ideal due to moderate temperatures and ample rainfall. Trees can be planted as long as soil temperatures are above 40 degrees, which is normally up until Thanksgiving in our area. Trees should be monitored and watered throughout the winter to insure survival. Protective tubes are available for purchase to protect new plantings from rabbits.

Order forms and more information are available at the Barton County Extension Office, 1800 12th Street in Great Bend or by calling (620) 793-1910. You can download the forms at http://www.kansasforests.org.


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