Every year as the snow subsides and spring begins to appear, the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) becomes busy with questions about trees.
The SWCD will be holding its annual tree sale this spring, where seedlings are offered to the community at a discount and can be planted for timber, wildlife habitat, windbreaks, air quality and water quality as well as economic benefits and property aesthetics, according to a news release.
Order forms are currently available from the SWCD office, by mail request or on the SWCD website at www.kosciuskoswcd.org. The deadline for orders is April 7, with tree pick-up on April 17.
Evergreen species offered this year include American Arborvitae, Norway Spruce, White Pine and Concolor Fir.
Hardwoods include Bald Cypress, Tulip Poplar, Sugar Maple, River Birch, Persimmon, Red Oak and Black Walnut.
Ornamental trees and shrubs available include Red Bud, White Flowering Dogwood, Serviceberry, Lilac and Highbush Cranberry.
Groundcovers include Pachysandra, Sedum Angelina and Creeping Phlox. Stella de Oro and Peach Daylilies will also be available.
To assist with spring planting, marking flags, fertilizer tabs and tree planting bars will be available.
Conservation trees are working trees. Trees clean the air, and they absorb carbon dioxide and give us oxygen in return. Trees help remove lung-damaging dust, ash and smoke from the air, and lessen the impact of urban “heat island” effect and reduce changes in weather patterns. Trees also provide shade, which reduces temperatures in urban areas.
Trees help with water quality by helping prevent sediment, nutrients and chemicals from getting into streams. Trees help slow down the movement of storm water, which reduces soil erosion and flooding. Tree leaves and roots act as natural water filters that trap pollutants, provide shade that reduces temperatures in streams benefiting fish and organisms and help water enter the ground and recharge water tables.
Trees provide economic benefits if properly placed around buildings by reducing air conditioning and heating costs 10 to 35%, according to the news release. Trees also can boost the market value of a home and attract new businesses and tourism.
Trees also provide homes for countless living creatures by providing food and shelter that is necessary for the survival of many mammals, birds and insects.
On the global scale, the carbon sequestration of trees can be an important weapon in combating greenhouse gases.
On the local level, all profits from the annual tree sale help SWCD implement conservation programs, including cost sharing programs as well as education and outreach, according to the release.
For more information about the SWCD tree sale program, contact the office at 574-267-7445, ext. 3.
