Master Watershed Steward program will hold annual native tree and shrub sale

Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program will hold its sixth annual native tree and shrub sale this fall in 29 locations across the state.

This year’s fundraiser offers 23 varieties of native trees and shrubs, including the highly requested pawpaw and persimmon, a release noted. Orders will be accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 27 or until sold out, with curbside pickup available in September or October. Pickup dates and times vary by location.

Plants available for purchase also include the buttonbush, common ninebark, coralberry, elderberry, false indigo, flowering dogwood, highbush blueberry, New Jersey tea, northern bayberry, pussy willow, redbud, red osier dogwood, silky dogwood, smooth hydrangea, snowberry, spicebush, steeplebush, swamp rose, sweet pepperbush, sweetfern, and white fringe tree.

A catalog with descriptions of the plants is available online.

Trees and shrubs will be available in 2-gallon containers for $33, with one item offered in a 1-gallon size for $20 and another item in a 3-gallon size for $45.

Funds from the sale will support Master Watershed Steward activities in that region, including stream repair projects, tree plantings, and youth education programs. Trees, the release noted, intercept and infiltrate stormwater, stabilize soils, and filter pollutants.

In Lebanon County, plants can be picked up from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 27, at the extension office at 2120 Cornwall Road, Lebanon. Buyers should enter at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center entrance and look for signs directing them to the pickup site to the right.

Details about each tree — such as average mature height, sun and soil moisture needs, and bloom time — are outlined on the order website. Master Watershed Stewards guarantee a healthy specimen at pickup. Due to variations in planting, site conditions, and care, no guarantee or refunds are possible after tree pickup.

Residents are encouraged to consider above- and below-ground utilities and mature growth size when choosing a tree for their property and always to call 811 before digging.

Orders can be placed online (here or here) or by calling 877-345-0691. All items must be preordered. Plants will not be available for purchase at pickup sites.

Trees that are not picked up (without other special arrangements) will be donated to a local environmental organization. Anyone who needs to make special arrangements should contact Jim Lewis at 717-773-5389.

Anyone wanting tips on how to plant and maintain their purchases can participate in a Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success webinar on Sept. 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The webinar is free to tree sale customers and $5 for non-customers.

Participants must register online to receive access to the live or recorded webinar.

More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.