Annual Meigs SWCD Tree Sale to Focus on Helping Pollinators

POMEROY –The annual Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District Tree Sale is now underway, and this year the buzz is about tree packets and seed mixes to assist pollinating species such as Monarch butterflies and honey bees, beneficial species that are on the decline.

The Native Spring Flowering Packet consists of smaller shrubs and trees that do well in smaller, more compact areas, or on the edges of woodlands. It consists of six trees of two each of Eastern Redbud, Shadblow Serviceberry, and Flowering Dogwood for $9.

The Honey Bee Pollinator Tree Packet, requested by local bee keepers, consists of tree species that bloom early, mid and late season, it consists of 20 trees, five each of Black Locust, Northern Catalpa, Sassafras and Sourwood for $15.

For smaller spaces where trees are not practical, there is a Wildflower and Grass mix, one ounce for $6, and the Bird and Butterfly Seed Mix, one ounce for $5.

The district is also partnering with Pheasants Forever to provide pollinator seed mixes for larger areas of one acre or more. The mixes were designed by wildlife professionals to provide high-quality, long-lasting habitat that meets or exceeds Ohio Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service standards for beneficial insect habitat, and meet Farm Service Agency standards for pollinator habitat, when planted as specified for those conservation practices.

The #H12 Pollinator Packet consists mainly of native warm season grasses and wildflowers and sells for $120 in one-acre increments, while the #H13 Pollinator Forb/Legume Only packet consists primarily of native flowering plants, $110 in one-acre increments.

New this year is the Nut Tree Packet consisting of 10 trees, two each of Chestnut Oak, Chinkapin Oak, American Hazelnut, Shagbark Hickory and White Walnut (Butternut) for $15.

This year’s individual hardwood offerings include Black Walnut, White Oak, Northern Red Oak, Sugar Maple and Black Cherry in packets of 25 seedlings for $17. American Chestnut trees are also available again in packets of five for $17. These seedlings are secured from the West Virginia State Tree Nursery and are considered pure American Chestnut. These trees have shown some resistance to chestnut blight but it is too soon to claim resistance. This gives the landowner an opportunity to help play a part in reestablishing this tree species, once considered the queen of the eastern forest.

Also available are Norway Spruce, Canadian Hemlock, Bald Cypress, Scotch Pine, and Eastern White Pine, in packets of 25 for $15, and a packet of Colorado Blue Spruce, 25 for $17.

New this year is a Common Pawpaw Packet, five trees for $9.

Other offerings include Dwarf Yellow Delicious Apples in packets of two seedlings each for $18; Shiitake Mushroom kits (consisting of 200 plugs) for $25; English Ivy, and Pachysandra trays of 100 plants for $27.

Seed mixes include erosion control (two pounds for $15), and wildlife food plot mixes (25 pounds for $40)

Also available are bluebird boxes and bat boxes ($18 each), marking flags ($.10 each) and Plantskyydd deer and rabbit repellant available in ready-to-spray quart bottles ($22) or in a powder concentrate (2.2 pounds for $39).

The deadline for ordering trees or seed packets from the Meigs SWCD is Monday, Feb. 29 with trees being available for pickup around the second week in April. Tree and shrub seedlings should be between six and 18 inches tall depending on the species, and should be planted within five days after pickup and watered regularly.

For an order form or for more information, contact the Meigs SWCD at 740-992-4282 or stop in during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 113 E. Memorial Drive, Suite D, Pomeroy. Order forms are also available at www.meigsswcd.com.