Franklin Soil and Water has been facilitating tree planting since its inception in 1946 and has held tree sales for 50 years.  According to an archived newsletter, we sold our millionth tree seedling in 1986.

So how have we adapted to changing times?  We now count suburban and urban landowners among our customers alongside the producers who still buy conservation seedlings for windbreaks and riparian planting.  (We also still sell fish for stocking farm ponds.)

One way we are trying to make tree shopping easier is that in addition to selling trees and shrubs in single-species bundles, we are also selling multi-species tree packets to meet specific conservation goals.  One example of these packets is the Carbon Packet, consisting of fast-growing, vertically diverse, and long-lived tree and shrub species.  These plants will sequester carbon through rapid woody growth, below-ground root development, and dense heartwood formation.  By planting these trees, you are helping to offset your carbon footprint.  The other conservation goal packets are the Pond and Riparian Habitat packet and the Songbird packet.

Another way that we are adapting is the number of backyard conservation tools included in the 2011 tree sale.   Backyard conservation practices help prevent water quality degradation by reducing both the amount of pollutants in storm water and the total amount of storm water entering streams.  Among the tools offered are an attractive 60-gallon terracotta rain barrel, a large-capacity composter, a bat house,  a rain garden kit, and many species of native perennials available for pre-order.

We are also responding to the desire for home-grown and locally grown foods by selling the Apple Tree packet and the Fruit and Nut Tree packet.  We also have berries and shitake mushroom growing kits.  We just heard from our supplier that if there is enough interest, our mushroom supplier will bring the preferred oak logs for sale on tree pick-up day.

Order Online Now!
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Download the latest issue of Frankly Speaking, Tree and Fish Sale Edition for an order form and further details.

Published: February 14th, 2011