DEC’s Tree Nursery Offers Variety of Seedlings to Create Effective Windbreaks and Snow Fences
From the NYS DEC
More than 50 species of trees and shrubs from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery are now available to public and private landowners and schools, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. Winter winds often cause blowing and drifting snow that can create hazardous road conditions, reduced visibility and other safety issues. Strong, cold winds may also reduce home heating efficiency, increase winter energy bills, and even impact unsheltered livestock herds. By planting rows of trees and shrubs at right angles to prevailing winds, an effective natural windbreak can be created.
“Living windbreaks can improve road conditions, protect livestock, create wildlife habitat, and save New Yorkers money on their utility bills,” Commissioner Seggos said. “DEC’s state tree nursery has a variety of seedling species for creating windbreaks. I encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this great resource and to work with our foresters and experts at the nursery to maximize the conservation benefits of your plantings.”
Spruces, pines, shrub willows, dogwoods, high bush cranberry, winged sumac, white cedar, and wetland rose are among the 50 species available. The seedlings from the State’s Saratoga Tree Nurserycan also help landowners create wildlife habitat and improve air and water quality in their backyard. In addition, many types of trees and shrubs provide important food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, which have declined over recent years.
The seedling sale provides low-cost, native planting materials from New York seed sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state’s environment for future generations. Mixed species packets are also available. Enhancing habitat in your backyard is made easy with packets of trees and shrubs for your specific planting goals including enhancement of ruffed grouse habitat, Long Island habitat, and riparian and streamside habitat. All packets also include plant species that attract pollinators.
For more information, visit the Spring Seedling Sale web page on DEC’s website.
Posted: February 3rd, 2017 under Environmental News, General News, Northern NY News, State Government News.