Orders are being taken

The Texas Forest Service Indian Mound Nursery near Alto is now accepting orders for pine and hardwood tree seedlings for planting this winter.

Virginia pine seedlings for Christmas tree production, Shortleaf pine seedlings and four varieties of Loblolly pine seedlings for growing timber are available. On most forest land sites in Cherokee County, Northeast Texas Advanced Generation Loblolly pine or Northeast Texas Superior Loblolly pine seedlings are usually recommended for planting for timber production. These genetically improved seedlings should result in trees with better growth and better form than trees resulting from natural reseeding.

Drought Hardy Loblolly pine seedlings do not have the improved genetically qualities listed above, but, as the name implies, are more resistant to drought and improve the probability that a stand of trees will be established. They are usually recommended for only the most drought prone sites with deep, sandy soil types. Another tree better adapted for dry sites is the Shortleaf pine. Like the Loblolly pine, Shortleaf pine is native to Northeast Texas and is frequently found in native forest settings. It is much slower growing than Loblolly and for that reason it has not been widely used for planting for timber production.

In addition to pine seedlings, Baldcypress and a wide variety of hardwood seedlings are also available from the Indian Mound Nursery.

Several Oak species are available for planting for timber production, wildlife habitat, and soil and water conservation. Other trees suitable for wildlife and enhancement of the environment include Mayhaw, Pecan, Water hickory and Water tupelo. Specialty packets of seedlings for Conservation, Wildlife or Firewise planting are also available.

All seedlings are one year old and are sold as bare-root for planting during the dormant period, usually January through March. The seedlings may be used for reforestation, resource conservation, wildlife and windbreak purposes. They are not to be used for ornamental or landscape plantings. The bare-root seedlings will be packed and shipped in a Kraft bag with a moisture retention medium on the roots. This gellike material should stay on the roots when planting.

Both pine and hardwood seedlings may be purchased with a credit card on-line from the Texas Forest Service web page at http://txforestservice. tamu.edu/main/article. aspx?id=1165. Orders may also be made by mail or by visiting the Texas Forest Service Office in Jacksonville. To request an order form, call the Texas Forest Service office at (903) 586-7545.