More than 50 species of trees and shrubs are available to schools and public and private landowners and can be ordered from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery for erosion control, wildlife habitat, reforestation and other uses.

The program provides low-cost, native planting materials from New York sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state's environment for future generations.

The minimum order is 25 for conifers, hardwoods and wildlife shrubs and 50 for container stock. Mixed species packets of 30-100 wildlife shrubs are also available for homeowners to attract wildlife. The nursery sells primarily bare-root stock, but a few species are available as containerized stock (grown in a greenhouse).

The nursery also offers a few non-native species which can enhance wildlife plantings and assist with stream bank stabilization. For instance, toringo crabapple provides a winter food source for wild turkey, grouse and deer, and streamco willow is used in many stabilization projects.

Landowners can get planting advice from their nearest DEC forestry office or private forestry consultant.

The 2012 Tree and Shrub brochure can be found on the DEC's website http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html or by calling the Saratoga Tree Nursery at (518) 581-1439.

To order seedlings by phone, call the nursery on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (518) 587-1120. Mail orders are also accepted and can be sent to the NYS DEC Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Orders may be placed through mid-May. Seedlings are shipped from mid-April to mid -May.

\Schools across New York can receive free seedlings for spring planting through the DEC School Seedling Program, which provides 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs to any public or private school that would like to participate.

The seedlings can be planted on school grounds or other community spaces. Teachers and students are encouraged to plan the project ahead of time by discussing the value trees contribute to the environment and to determine the objectives of tree planting.

To participate, schools should download an application from http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9393.html, contact the Saratoga Tree Nursery at (518) 581-1439 or contact the nearest DEC regional forestry office to request a "School Seedlings" brochure. The brochure contains all the information necessary to place an order. Applications must be received at the nursery by April 15.

The Nursery in Saratoga Springs was created in 1911. More than 1.6 billion seedlings have been produced to enhance and protect the forest resource.

For more information, visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/75090.html.