Tree and Wildlife Seed Sale

Click here to print the Wildlife Seed and Tree Sale Order Form 2024

The American Chestnut seedlings in our sale this year are SOLD OUT

As hard as it is to believe, it is time once again to be thinking about the 2023 spring planting season. If conifers, hardwood, fruit trees, and wildlife food plot seed is what you are looking for, then look no further, because Noble SWCD has what you need! Each year we seek out new varieties, and we think you’ll be pleased with this year’s assortment.

Noble SWCD is able to offer the community lower rates due to the large quantity we order. This year we are offering all bare root seedlings from Alpha Nurseries, Inc. and Adams County Nursery. Bare root seedlings are taken home and planted in the ground right away and tended to through the summer.

Over the past several years we have partnered with Merit Seed, out of Berlin Ohio, to sell wildlife food plot mixes. This has been a very successful partnership, and we are continuing it again this year. On the order form we offer three, and five pound bag sizes, but we can also order larger quantities, if desired. We encourage you to look at the Merit Seed website at www.meritseed.com to see what they have to offer. Through this sale seed can be purchased at the same price you’d buy it at Merit’s store in Berlin, but producers save in shipping cost, which can be very expensive when dealing with a 50 pound bag of seed.

On this year’s order form you’ll notice a couple of new things. First of all, we will not be selling Round-Up Ready Corn and Soybeans this year. We understand that this is disappointing for some of our wildlife stewards, but we hope that you’ll find some of our other seed options compatible with your management plans. Secondly, we have included the sales tax into the price of the trees, so the price you see is the final price. Hopefully that will make figuring your final cost much easier. The absolute last day we can accept orders will be Friday March 10th, 2023.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office at 740-732-4318.  The tentative pick up date will be April 14th, 2023.

2024 Tree and Wildlife Seed Descriptions

Eastern White Pine – Fast growing 90 to100 feet. Spread 25 to 40 feet. A five needled pine, with soft, light green-blue needles, 4 inches long. Can tolerate dry, rocky soil. Grows in normal moisture conditions but can tolerate wet, swampy areas. Excellent ornamental tree for specimens, naturalizing, windbreak or dense screen. Can be easily restrained to manageable height by pruning. For screen or Christmas trees, shear when new growth appears. It is easily controlled, and is good for small properties as well as field plantings. Also widely used for Christmas trees and timber.

Green Giant Arborvitae – “Green Giant” has a low-branching, dense columnar-pyramidal habit. Dark green sprays of small, glossy, scale-like needles retain their deep green color through the winter. This tree can grow 3 to 4 feet per year in optimal conditions and reach a mature height of 40 to 60 feet and a width of 12 to 18 feet. This tree does best in a moist, full sun location with light afternoon shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils and resists most diseases, insects, periodic droughts and deer. It does not tolerate salt (spray and salty soils). It is a low-maintenance landscaping choice due to tis hardiness and uniform growth habit that requires little to no pruning to maintain an attractive shape.

Red Cedar – Eastern Red Cedar has a moderate to fast growth rate and can reach 30 to 40 feet high and spread 10 to 30 feet wide. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils but will tolerate poor soils. Red Cedar is drought, heat, and deer resistant. It is widely planted for wildlife habitat, windbreaks, shelterbelts, and soil conservation. It provides excellent wildlife cover and produces blueish berries that are good for wildlife food.

American Chestnut – *SOLD OUT* The traditional American Chestnut prefers moist, deep, acidic soils in full sun, but thrives in dry, rocky soils. The early summer flowers occur in large clusters at the ends of the fully extended new growth. The showy portions are the creamy, filamentous male flowers, which shed pollen on the nearby female flowers of this monoecious species. A few of the female flowers give rise to the prickly fruits, which are actually several nuts enclosed in a spiny husk. This husk splits open in autumn, releasing the tasty chestnuts which are flattened on one side. According to Alpha Nurseries, “These seedlings are apparently blight free with some resistance and no genetic modification.” This is a good tree for wildlife.

Chinkapin Oak – Chinkapin oak is a medium to large tree reaching a height of 70 feet and a trunk to 3 feet in diameter, with a rounded crown of glossy, green foliage. It is also planted widely as a shade tree suitable for limestone soils. It prefers full sun and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Chinkapin oak is a member of the white oak group with chestnut-type leaves. Unlike most white oaks, chinkapin is tolerant of alkaline soil. this is a good tree for wild life.

Northern Pecan – The fastest grower of the hickory species and the best of the hickories for fruit production, nothern pecan often survives for up to 300 years. The male and female flowers do not mature at the same time. They’re located on different parts of the tree, with the female nutlets emerging from current-season growth and the male catkins developing on the previous year’s growth. To achieve pollination, and because cross-pollinated pecans are usually larger and of higher quality, several trees should be planted for optimal crops. Bare-rooted saplings begin to bare nuts after 3 to 4 years, eventually producing 70 to 150 pounds of nuts per year. Plant so that each tree has plenty of space to grow. Nuts are ready for harvest around mid-October. This is a good tree for wildlife.

Pawpaw – Common pawpaw is a small, short trunked tree or large, mulit-stemmed shrub, 10 to 40 feet tall with large tropical-like leaves. Young shoots and leaves are covered with a rusty down, later becoming smooth. The thick, bright green, deciduous leaves turn yellow-green in the fall. The edible, cylindrical, 6 inch long, yellowish green fruits mature in early autumn. Their flavor and flesh consistancy resembles that of bananas. The best fruit production occurs when two trees are growing near one another. This is a good wildlife tree.

American Common Persimmon- A Native tree 25 – 40 feet in height and 20 to 35 feet in width. Common Persimmon is slender with an oval-rounded crown, often very symmetrical. The white, fragrant flowers are very sweet and a favorite of honeybees. An edible persimmon ripens with a deep orange color after several frosts. More than one tree is needed for pollination to produce fruit. Persimmon tends to sucker into groves or colonies, producing food for wildlife. The hard, close-grained wood is used for golf heads, billiard cues, and flooring.

Common Lilac – Lilacs are an old-fashioned homestead favorite, perfuming the air with fragrance in early spring from its upright panicles of lilac-pink flowers. It has an upright, bushy habit, suckers profusely, and makes a great tall and dense hedge. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Common lilac will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 9 feet. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This shrub should only be grown in full sun, but it is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.

Nannyberry – Adaptable to a wide range of soils, this native viburnum is found in low moist woods or near stream banks but will tolerate drier sites. Very shade tolerant, it grows larger in open sunny areas. It features showy white flowers in May, followed by burgundy leaf color and dark blue berries in the autumn. This large upright shrub can spread and form colonies, making it a good choice for a privacy screen or hedgerow.

Pussy Willow – These plants love moisture. They thrive along banks of streams in the wild and are useful for controlling soil erosion. You will need to ensure they have plenty of water and are not sujected to drought conditions. Pussy willows grow quite fast and will spread quickly, achieving heights as much as 25 feet for some species. Simply sticking a pussy willow branch into the soil will produce a fully developed adult plant in a matter of a few months. Planting is generally done in the spring, but it will succeed during summer, as well.

Redbud – Eastern redbud is a small deciduous tree. Trees typically grow 20 feet in height with a similar spread and have gracefully ascending branches and a round shape. The showy flowers are pea-like and rosy-pink with a purplish tinge. The flowers develop before the leaves in spring, emerging in clusters along the branches. When planted in full sun, the redbud will experience fuller, more vibrant blooms; however, some shade is recommended during hot summer days. The redbud can tolerate partial shade, but won’t grow well in fully shaded areas.

White Flowering Dogwood – An excellent landscape choice for all four seasons, the white dogwood is a favorite in many yards and gardens. White flowers show their beauty in the spring, foliage turns vibrant red purple in fall, and glossy red fruits attract wildlife in the winter months. Flowering dogwood matures 20 to 25 feet. It’s adaptable to an array of soil types, including acidic, loamy, rich, sandy, or even clay, and is drought tolerant. It will grow in full sun as long as the soil is fertile and moisture-rich, yet thrives in partial shade, too.

Fruit Trees

Daybreak Fuji (Apple) – An early sport of Fuji, discovered at Twin Springs Fruit Farm, Orrtanna, Pennsylvania. The fruit is large with a pink-red blush over 80% of the fruit surface. The finish of the fruit and productivity of the tree are exceptional. The tree is precocious on any rootstock. Maturing four to five weeks ahead of conventional Fuji, Daybreak Fuji provides an opportunity to harvest high-quality Fuji in mid-September. This is an excellent choice for both retail and wholesale markets.

Granny Smith (Apple) – Produces fairly large fruit that have a unique combination of sweetness and bitterness that create an overall exciting tasting experience. Fruit can be both cooked and eaten . Ideal for larger gardens and grows well in majority of well-drained soils. Granny Smith matures in early November and has a storage life equal to the Fuji.

Redhaven (Pear) – This variety is considered by many as the standard for the Northeast peach industry. The tree is vigorous, very bud-hardy, and productive. The fruit is medium-sized and colors to a brilliant red. One of the best commercial varieties. It ripens around the beginning of August.

Contender (Pear) – A high-quality, freestone variety ripening in mid-season. The fruit is very firm and large with an excellent color. The trees are hardy and very productive.

 

 

12 Point Buck Food Plot Seed Mix- Is a premium blend of high end clovers, alfalfa and chicory.  The blend consist of Merit Platinum Ladino Clover, Jumbo Ladino Clover, Alsike Clover, Cyclone Red Clover, Alfalfa, and Oasis Chicory.  Should be planted in well drained loam to clay loam soils and a good firm seed bed with a pH of 6 or higher.  Recommended seeding rate is 18-20 lbs /acre, frost seeding rate is 9-10 lbs. /acre.  Planting dates are spring, fall, or frost seeding, at a depth of ¼ to ½”.  This is an excellent source of high protein forage with good mineral content and good digestibility.

Platinum Ultra Food Plot Seed Mix- Is an excellent blend of white clover, wetland and multileaf all soil grazing alfalfa supplemented with Durana Clover and drought resistant forage chicory.  Seed blend consist of Merit Platinum Ladino Clover, Durana White Clover, Wetland Alfalfa, 5225 All Soils Alfalfa and Oasis Chicory.  It has fast regrowth and withstands heavy late season grazing.  Has a very good cold weather and drought tolerance that adapts well to shale or reclaimed soil.  Should be planted on well drained loam, clay loam soils and a good firm seed bed with a pH of 6 or higher.  Seeding rates and times are the same as 12 Point Buck.

Hillcrest Trail Food Plot Seed Mix- Is a mixture of Tetraploid Ryegrass, Duo Festulolium, Red Clover, Alsike Clover, and Chicory.  This is a quick establishing mix with good wildlife food value that is ideal for heavy traffic trails, logging yards, and gas lines.  This is an outstanding mix for erosion control also.  Widely adapted to all soils that are well drained.  Ideal for early to mid-late summer planting in a firm seed bed with a pH of 5.2 or higher.  Seed at 40-45 lbs. /acre in the spring, summer and fall ¼ to ½” deep.

Deer Max Food Plot Seed Mix- Is an annual premium Brassicas blend of turnips, kale, and rape that are very high in soluble protein and carbohydrates.  This is an excellent late season food plot.  The colder it gets, the better it gets.  Mix includes Kale, Hybrid Pasja, Forage Rape, Grazing Turnip, and Purple Top Turnip.  Grows in a widely adapted soil type with a firm seed bed that has a pH of 5.2 or higher.  Seed at a rate of 8-10 lbs. per acre between May and October at a seeding depth of ¼-1/2” deep.

Daikon Tillage Radish- Also known as the Groundhog Radish.  This brand produces more root mass than oil seed radish.  This large root will pull nitrogen and nutrients deep from within the soil and bring them to the surface.  Diakon Radish cover crops captures 150-200 pounds of nitrogen per acre before winter killing.  This nitrogen will then become available to the next

crop.  The decomposing roots leave large voids in the soil to improve water infiltration and soil aeriation.  This plant not only improves your soils, it will suck those monster bucks on to your property in the late season.  It will grow in a wide variety of well-drained soil types.  Plant at a rate of 10-12 lbs. per acre a ¼” to ½” deep between May and August.

Buck Forage Oats- Is a winter hearty oat that is a fall and winter food source for deer and other wildlife.  They are extremely winter hardy, drought resistant oat designed to provide more tender growth for a longer interval of time.  Is also excellent product that has dual uses both as a cover crop and as a fall forage.  It grows in widely adapted, fertile soil at a seeding rate of 100-125 lbs. per acre at a planting depth of ½”-1” deep in the spring and fall.

Large Lad Eagle Brand Soybeans- are becoming the most popular soybeans to plant for wildlife food plots.  Large Lad plants can reach up to 84” that will provide excellent forage and cover for deer and turkeys.  They are easy to grow, with resistance to many foliar diseases, root rots,, stem canker and races of nematodes, they are widely adapted to numerous soil types, and will with stand harsher growing conditions than regular soybeans.  Drill beans at a rate of 50-80 lbs. per acre during April thru June at a seeding depth of ¾”-1” deep and a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.  Broadcast at a rate of 75 lbs. per acre.  These are Roundup Ready.  A Monsanto Agreement form will have to be signed by purchaser

Two Year Fertilizer Tablets- 25/package This fertilizing tablet is designed to root feed evergreen and hardwood seedlings and fruit trees for up to 2 years. Just drop tablet into the hole near the root zone at planting time.  Releases slowly for 2 years.  Tablets should not touch root system of trees.