Game Commission: Howard Nursery Seedling Sale Accepting Orders; Seedlings For Schools Program Ordering Begins Feb. 5

On January 8, the Game Commission announced Howard Nursery is now accepting orders for its annual Seedling Sale and will be accepting orders for the Seedlings for Schools Program starting February 5.

Annual Seedling Sale

The Howard Nursery grows tree and shrub seedlings for use on state game lands, by participating Hunter Access cooperators, in the Seedlings for Schools program and by the Game Commission’s conservation partners.

Any remaining surplus is available to Pennsylvania residents to 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, and growing conditions.

“It takes three years to grow conifers and sometimes two years to grow hardwood trees from seed,” explained Brian Stone, manager at Howard Nursery. “Our surplus of red oaks is great this season; and this year we have a limited supply of wild grape, northern spicebush, and flowering dogwood.”  

Seedlings are sold in units of 25. The 2024 order form contains a selection of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, most of which are native to Pennsylvania and collected from Pennsylvania sources. 

The order form lists seedling descriptions, site preferences and benefits.

Popular seedling favorites available this year are Norway spruce, red oak, sawtooth oak, flowering dogwood and crabapple.

All seedlings offered for sale can be purchased at a discounted price. Orders of 12 or more total units (300 seedlings) qualify for applicable discounted pricing. With the discount, prices are as low as $11.25 per unit. Regular prices range from $12.50 to $20 depending upon the seedling species.

The Howard Nursery Seedlings order form is available online.  The deadline for orders is May 1.

Seedlings For Schools Program

The Howard Nursery will be accepting orders for the Seedlings for Schools Program February 1 through March 31.

The program is designed to show school students in Grades K to 12 that trees are important to wildlife, people and the environment. 

Through Seedlings for Schools, students plant seedlings at home, on school grounds or in their community and discover the vital role of trees in the environment.

Educational materials and planting instructions are also available through the program.

Visit the Seedlings for Schools Program webpage for all the details.

Those interested in placing an order should call the Howard Nursery at 814-355-4434. Orders can also be placed by FAX at 814-355-8094. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The nursery is closed on federal holidays. 

For more information, visit the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery webpage.

[Posted: January 8, 2024]  PA Environment Digest