Add spring color with native Iowa seedlings

AMES — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery offers spring delivery in April and May for hardwood, conifer and shrub seedlings. Seedlings can be ordered through May 23.

Customers can choose to have their orders shipped, or they can pick them up at the State Forest Nursery in Ames.

The bare-root (no container, soil root ball or moss included) seedlings are packaged in bundles of 25 inside sealed and labeled plastic bags.

Tree varieties include 23 species of native hardwoods, eight evergreen species and 15 smaller trees and shrubs. Prices range from $. 80 to $1.20 per seedling. Seedlings are sold in three age classifications, and range in size from 10-30 inches depending on the species.

The State Forest Nursery in Ames was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and has operated continuously ever since. All trees are grown from Iowa seed sources to harvest the bounty of native genetics that have thrived in our soils and weather against disease, insects, droughts and floods for many thousands of years.

For more information visit the online sales site at nursery.iowadnr.gov/ or call 1-800-865-2477 during regular business hours Monday through Friday. DNR’s expert nursery staff can assist with species selection and answer questions about your tree needs and nursery offerings.