On January 7, the Game Commission's Howard Nursery will start accepting online orders for tree and shrub seedlings from landowners to help improve game habitat.
The Seedlings for Schools Program opens for orders on February 4, in partnership with the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.
The Howard Nursery grows tree and shrub seedlings for state game lands, participating Hunter Access cooperators, the Seedlings for Schools Program and the Game Commission’s conservation partners.
Any remaining surplus is available to Pennsylvania residents for purchase for wildlife food and cover, watershed protection, soil-erosion control, and for reclamation of disturbed areas, such as surface mine sites and utility rights-of-way.
The selection of seedlings changes from year to year due to available seed, seedling germination, or growing conditions.
“Last year, game lands and partner demands for seedlings was greater than our supply,” explained Brian D. Stone, manager at Howard Nursery. “This year, after fulfilling our commitments to our game lands projects and our partners, we will have a limited supply of surplus available for public sale.”
Seedlings are sold in units of 25. The 2019 order form contains a selection of shrubs and nut-bearing trees, most of which are native to Pennsylvania and collected from Pennsylvania sources and also offers seedling descriptions, site preferences and benefits.
Those species available are: buttonbush, graystem dogwood, Northern bayberry, ninebark, chokecherry, common elderberry, arrowwood viburnum, Washington hawthorn, black walnut, black locust, and black-gum.
Many of the seedlings offered for sale can be purchased at a discounted price.
Orders of 12 or more total units qualify for applicable discounted pricing. With the discount, prices are as low as $5.50 per unit. Regular price ranges from $7.50 to $9.50, depending upon the seedling species.
Species that qualify for the discount are clearly marked on the order form.
Stone said those who are interested might want to call Howard Nursery at 814-355-4434. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Orders can be placed by telephone, as well.
Click Here for the order form. The order form can be completed and submitted online, or printed out and faxed or mailed. Payment is not due until the order is confirmed by Howard Nursery.
For those without Internet access, order forms can be obtained at Game Commission offices or various displays or booths at shows in which the agency participates through the spring or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Howard Nursery, 197 Nursery Road, Howard, PA 16841.
The preferred method of delivery is by United Parcel Service (UPS). Shipping and handling charges do apply.
Orders are shipped only Monday through Wednesday to assure delivery for weekend planting. However, orders also may be picked up in person at the nursery once buyers are notified the order is ready.
Generally, seedlings ship in the month of April.
For more information, visit the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery and Seedlings for Schools Program webpages.
(Photo: Howard Nursery tree bundle.)
Resources
For more information on buffers, financial and technical assistance available, visit DCNR’s Forest Buffers webpage.
New DCNR Grant Round
To learn more about grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new grant round is opening January 22 and will close April 10.
Forest Buffer Summit
Registration is now open for the DCNR and Western PA Conservancy Pennsylvania Riparian Forest Buffer Summit on February 20-21 at the Best Western Premier Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg. Click Here for more.
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