The Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District is holds an annual spring conservation tree sale to encourage tree planting in Mille Lacs County. Each year the SWCD distributes more than 30,000 trees to over 300 residents who plant trees for birds and wildlife, shelter belts and soil and water conservation.

Tree and shrub roots serve to stabilize soil and prevent erosion from storm water runoff. They also filter and cleanse water running through soil to the ground water below. Many species being offered provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife year round. Trees can increase the value of your property and conserve energy by shading your house in summer and sheltering it from cold winds in winter.

The district is also offering native wildflowers that are being sold in groups of 12 plants, two each of six different species. The Butterfly Garden consists of wildflowers that grow in a sunny location and attract butterflies. The Woodland Garden contains native wildflowers that grow in a shady, wooded environment. The diversity of your woods can be enhanced by planting a few of these gardens along with shade tolerant trees and shrubs such as Nannyberry, Cranberry, Grey dogwood, Hazelnut or Chokeberry.

The trees and shrubs offered by the SWCD are bare root seedlings that are sold in bundles of 25. Bare root seedlings are easy to plant and grow quickly. Contact us if you would like to be on our Tree Order Form mailing list for next spring.

Tree Order forms are available by contacting Lynn Carter at 983-2160 or lynn.carter2@mn.nacdnet.net  or stop into the SWCD office at 1016 5th St. SE  Milaca, MN 56353