The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District will again hold its annual tree and shrub sale.

This year, the district is featuring 25 species native to Chautauqua County and 33 species native to New York state.

The Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors declared Chautauqua County a Soil Conservation District in 1944 by determining that “conservation of soil resources and control and prevention of soil erosion are problems of public concern in the county.” Conservation districts are a local governmental subdivision established under state law, and adopted by the county, to carry out a program for the conservation, use and development of soil, water and related resources.

Landowners can practice conservation by planting seedlings and wildflowers to support pollinators and provide food and shelter to wildlife, reduce heating/cooling expenses, protect water quality with buffers, reduce air pollution and stabilize eroded land. Seedlings are an inexpensive way to replace trees that have been damaged, harvested or lost to disease.

For the sale, 13 evergreens, 18 hardwoods, 17 shrubs, five berries, three hosta varieties, as well as conservation seed mixes and wildflower seed mixes will be available. Plant species are available in lots of 10 or more. The district will continue to offer larger stock fruit tree packages that include apple, peach, pear, and a “fruit cocktail package”. Wildlife fruit tree packages will also be available. All stock is bare root, meaning the plant is harvested with little or no soil attached to the roots. Due to the stock being bare root, the plants must be harvested and replanted while in a dormant state and while soil conditions are still moist.

The sale is first-come, first-served. The deadline to order is March 9 for fruit tree and berry orders, though berries will be sold during the entire course of the sale until they are sold out. The deadline for the remainder of the catalog is April 1. Orders will be available for pick-up at the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District Building, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, in mid-April.

Catalogs and order forms are expected to be mailed in early February. Those who do not not receive a catalog and want to to see what is being offered can call 664-2351, ext. 5, to request a booklet by email or leave district officials a mailing address to have a catalog sent.

The district also stocks marking flags, fertilizer tablets and tree shelters to help promote the success of plantings. For pond algae control, the district offers barley straw and there is more information on the practice in the catalog. Those who want to purchase non-perishable items do not have to wait until the tree sale.