Pennsylvania tree seedling sale underway

Looking to add greenery to your land this spring? The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s annual seedling sale is officially underway.

For $12.50 to $16.25 per unit, residents can buy surplus tree and shrub seedlings that weren’t planted on state game lands this season. Each unit includes 25 seedlings, and those who purchase 12 or more units (at least 300 seedlings) will be eligible for a discount.

The 2023 surplus seedlings include evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, most of which are native to Pennsylvania.

Popular species available this year are white pine, Norway spruce, white cedar, red oak, sawtooth oak, black walnut and crabapple, according to the Game Commission. Seedling selection changes every year because of available seed, seedling germination and growing conditions.

These seedlings can be used by Pennsylvanians for a variety of purposes, including wildlife food and cover, watershed protection, soil-­erosion control and reclamation of disturbed areas, the Game Commission said.

The seedlings were grown by Howard Nursery. Since 1954, the Centre County nursery has produced and distributed 2 million to 8 million seedlings annually for wildlife food and cover.

Those who wish to order seedlings can find more information and an order form on the Game Commission’s website. People also can call Howard Nursery at 814-355-4434 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Ordered seedlings can be picked up at Howard Nursery, which is a two-hour drive from Greensburg and a 2¹⁄₂-hour drive from Pittsburgh.

The nursery also ships seedlings via UPS at an additional cost. Seedlings generally ship in April.