Who hasn’t heard that thought-provoking ditty at some point, “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree”? In addition to the beauty a tree or shrub can provide to any landscape, they can also serve to improve the water quality of a nearby stream. Not to mention the vital shelter and source of food (nuts, fruits, berries and browse) for a diversity of wildlife, both furry and feathered, as well as many of our pollinators.
For quite some time now, the majority of Ohio’s 88 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) have conducted an annual Tree Seedling Sale program. This service provides landowners a fairly equitable means of purchasing a variety of seedling trees and shrubs to plant around one’s home, along a farm field, or to further enhance a woodlots.
Even though the Erie SWCD has suspended our program for the time being, most of our neighboring SWCD’s are currently accepting orders for their spring 2026 Tree Seedling Sale. Lorain SWCD, Huron SWCD, and Ottawa SWCD each have an order form that you can download, listing the species they offer. Fill out your selections and mail the order form in with your check. Orders are typically on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, until their supply is exhausted, so get your tree seedling order in early!
After you pick up your seedlings from the SWCD where you placed your order, a minimal amount of seedling care and planting is crucial to ensure a better chance of survival. Seedlings will thrive best in moist conditions, especially as their roots are taking a good hold. So don’t forget watering!
Choosing the right location, i.e. matching the particular species to soil/sunlight preferences, will also play an important role in survival. And you may also need to think about some type of protection (tree guards, mesh, etc.) for your seedlings. Deer, rabbits, voles, mice, and squirrels can browse, gnaw, or dig, causing stunted growth or killing the plant. This could be even more so during the winter months when other food sources are scarce. A little extra care you can provide will go a long ways!