I read in one of your magazines about a couple who invested their money by planting black walnut and pine trees to sell when mature. They were able to buy these from the USDA at 100 trees for $20 and $7 respectively. I'm interested in doing the same. Can anyone tell me how would I go about this? Thanks! A new homesteader in California.

-- Monica DeCollibus (c.decollibus@ocsnet.net), February 01, 2000

Answers

I would look up your local Extension Office. I know my folks get their trees from either the Soil & Water Conservation District, or the MSU Extension Forestry Servce. They haven't bought a Christmas tree in about 15 years, since they plant pines every 5 years or so.

-- Becky Michelsen (beckymom@kjsl.com), February 01, 2000.

This site has seedling for sale. http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/ODNR/Seedling/Seedling.htm

They do sell seedling to out of staters but not until after Feb 1st of each year so that Ohioans can get what they need.

I stopped by the nursey for just the other day. Lots of seedlings.

I hope this helps.

-- Rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), February 01, 2000.

We have purchased trees every year from our local Soil Conservation District, and Once from the forrest service. You need to call them soon to get a brochure as here, in Colorado, you need to order by March, I think, for delivery or pick up in April. They do have requirements, you have to own at least 2 acres, and have to list why you want the trees. The Soil Conservation guys state that you cannot use the trees for any enterprise that would envolve selling them alive, so no potting them and selling them, etc.

However, you could plant them and cut them down later for Christmas trees, etc. They don't have black walnut on the listing here, but have a lot of varieties available, for about 25 dollars per 50 trees. I think it may be cheaper to get them from the forrest service, if they are available. They intend them to be used for windbreak, shelter and feed for wildlife, etc. So you may not be able to get some types you want. We purchased wild plum, sand cherry bushes, Austrian pine, etc. All are growing great, and it is reasonable. THey are small seedlings, and they usually give you some polymer or fertilizer tablets if you order early. Good luck!

-- Janice Bullock (Janicae12@aol.com), February 01, 2000.

As others have mentioned, trees are usually available through the state DNR or agriculture department. In Wisconsin, you are somewhat limited in what you can do with the trees--they want you to raise them to mature timber, usually. We were going to plant 20 acres a couple of years ago, but there was so much demand that almost all varieties were sold out, so we bought ours from a private nursery, and ended up very pleased, although it cost us more, and we don't have to worry about restrictions on the use of the trees or the land.

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), February 01, 2000.

Last year I contacted my local State Forestry Dept, they were very helpful. I was put on a mailing list, and when the time came for the nursery mailings for trees, they sent me a copy of what was available, how to be ready and so on. Basically any info that I needed. There was not a limit of how many, just a minimum of 100 trees. I can't remember if you could mix & match or not. Also they were willing to come out and help decide which mature trees should be harvested and recommended what to do with the woods that I have (20 acres). Do try them.

-- Marla Borders (marlab@mail.com), February 02, 2000.

Monica, what part of California are you in? If you are in an area which has National Forests which harvest timber, you should check with them. Talk to someone in the silviculture department. Also you could check California State Forestry, and your County Forestry, if there is one.

These types of agencies often have surplus trees every year at the end of their planting seasons, for various reasons, like they couldn't plant an area because they got snowed out, and so forth. If the trees don't get planted, the agencies will either give them away, throw them away, or return them to the nursery, where they are turned into mulch. Ask around.

I'd also check some of the tree nurseries where these agencies get their trees. If you can't locate them, ask the Forest Service, etc.

Sometimes these nurseries will give away LOTS of trees which don't quite "make spec". I planted a hundred of these trees along my property line, and about three foutths of them are doing very well. Most of the sugar pines died, but almost all the incense cedars are going for it.

I suspect these sources will have mostly conifers, although some of them are starting to grow hardwoods as well, as the timber programs are getting scaled back, and they are looking for other projects to do with our tax money.

Good luck. By the way, all these trees will likely be two years old, and only six inches to maybe a foot tall. But they are cheap, or free, and they will grow big.

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), February 02, 2000.

I live in Virginia and our State Forestry Department has nurseries which raise and sell tree seedlings and also sell seeds for wildlife, quail, and songbirds. One resource you might consider is that our Foresty Department also offers a three-credit course in forestry in cooperation with a local junior college. Probably yours does, too. I have my land in the Forestry Stewardship Program which, if you have over 20 acres, you might want to find out about. Your local forester can advise you on the best trees for your soil and climate, and can prepare a plan for you, also arrange for trees to be planted by competent tree planting crews if you want a lot of trees planted.

If you do a search on the internet for your state forestry department yuou should be able to find an on-line catalog of the trees they raise and offer for sale, and should help you find the name and e-mail address of your county forester.

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), March 24, 2000.

I buy trees from my state nursery. I have 100 mixed oaks and chestnuts now that I got for under $23. They are always healthy, though some are small. Even if you've bought from them before you have to request a brochure each year. Try your extension agent for info.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), March 25, 2000.

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