NRD Conservation Trees

Nebraska has a proud history of tree planting. This is the state where J. Sterling Morton started Arbor Day in 1872. Windbreaks provide numerous benefits to land, crops, livestock and people: They prevent soil erosion by slowing down the wind. They shelter people and livestock from summer heat and winter cold. They protect livestock from dangerously cold wind-chill readings, and can reduce home heating and cooling costs by one-third or more. They prevent crop damage from wind by slowing evaporation. They provide habitat for wildlife, including insect-eating birds. The North Platte NRD sells trees for conservation purposes, such as erosion control, windbreak and wildlife habitat. The District does not sell trees for landscaping. These two-year-old seedlings, including evergreens, broadleaf trees, and shrubs, can be ordered in bundles of 50 bare-root trees at a cost of $.85 per tree or as potted stock for $1.75 per tree for multiples of 30 trees. Price subject to change without notice. Descriptions and photos of these species can be seen at Conservation Trees for Nebraska. Customers may begin ordering trees and planning windbreaks each fall. The trees arrive in early spring. They are stored in coolers at the NRD until planting or customer pick-up. EVERGREENS (Sold in Multiples of 50 @ $.85) Red Cedar Rocky Mountain Juniper Austrian Pine Colorado Blue Spruce Ponderosa Pine Jack Pine Black Hills Spruce     BROADLEAF (Sold in Multiples of 50 @ $.85) Green Ash Siberian Elm Cottonwood (Hybrid) Hackberry Honeylocust Bur Oak Black Walnut SHRUBS (Sold in Multiples of 50 @ $.85) Caragana Cotoneaster Chokecherry Lilac Plum (Native) Sumac Nanking Cherry Buffaloberry Golden Currant POTTED STOCK (Sold in Multiples of 30 @ $1.75) Austrian Black Hills Spruce Colorado Blue Spruce Ponderosa Pine Red Cedar The North Platte NRD offers services to customers within the NRD to help establish windbreaks. Click here to view the NPNRD map. If your land lies outside the NPNRD, contact your local NRD for trees. The District will plant trees for customers at a cost of 85 cents per tree. Many customers choose this option; others plant the trees themselves. The District also offers chemical weed control of windbreak sites, which improves the survival rate for young trees. Cost-share programs are available to reimburse landowners for up to 65 percent of the costs of installing windbreaks. These funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tree Pruning & Care Tips Early spring is the optimum time to prune trees. Just five minutes of smart pruning per tree each spring is enough to keep your trees in top shape and health. Don't take more than 25% of the total foliage or "food factory" at any one time; prune only branches 2-inches in diameter or less; and after pruning, don't use any paint, sealant or "wound dressing. " Get more tree pruning tips here. Caring for trees after planting is just as important as planting trees. For the best chance of survival, young trees need proper care. To learn how to water them, protect them from weeds and prevent problems such as disease and wildlife damage, go to our Tree Care Tips.