AMES - With the spring 2005 planting season approaching, the State Forest Nursery has more than 3 million tree and shrub seedlings available for purchase by landowners for wildlife habitat plantings, riparian buffers to protect waterways, shelterbelts and other conservation plantings.

"The state forest nursery inventory includes large numbers of native oaks such as bur, red, pin, swamp white and white; black walnut for nut and lumber production, silver maple, willow and poplar for along streams, and spruces and cedar for shelterbelts," said Roger Jacob, manager of the nursery. "These species can be used for several conservation reserve practices. Supplies of native shrubs such as high bush cranberry, ninebark, wild plum and varies dogwoods are also in good supply."

The nursery also has specialty packets available for smaller planting. The songbird packet has 20 plants and four different wildlife packets have 200 plants each.

Landowners can easily order from the State Forest Nursery in time for spring planting by calling the toll free number (800) 865-2477 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or order online at www.iowadnr.com/forestry/. Nursery stock prices range from $25 to $45 per hundred depending on species and size. There is a minimum order of 500 plants except for songbird ($20) and wildlife packets ($90).

Help restore some of Iowa's wildlife habitat and forests this spring by planting trees and shrubs on your property.

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