The Best Time to Plant a Tree Was 20 Years Ago (and the Second Best Is Still This Spring)

Spring can be sneaky. One day you’re scraping frost off the windshield, and the next you’re eyeing your yard and thinking, “This place could use a little life.” If that thought has crossed your mind, the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Tree Sale is here with a shovel-ready solution.

Whether you’re a lifelong forester who really knows their oaks or a first-time planter whose main ask for your tree is to “please survive,” Ashland SWCD’s tree sale makes it easy and affordable to improve your property while supporting conservation at home in Ashland County.

First, let’s talk dates, because trees are many things, but patient they are not. The order deadline is March 6, and once that date passes, the sapling ship sails. Tree pickup will take place at Mapleton High School’s FFA Shop on Friday, April 24 from 5–7 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from 9–11 a.m. If you can’t make it, line up a friend, neighbor, or relative. Unclaimed trees are considered a donation—generous, yes, but probably not your plan.

Now, why trees? Besides being easy on the eyes, trees are the unsung heroes of our landscapes. They scrub carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, slow and filter rainwater before it hits our streams, and hold soil in place with their roots. They provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife, increase property values, and lower energy bills by blocking winter winds and providing cooling shade in summer. In other words, trees work hard long after the planting shovel is put away.

This year’s sale offers something for nearly every yard, field edge, and long-term vision, starting with two popular bundles.

The Beauty Bundle, priced at $75, is perfect for those who like their conservation efforts served with a side of spring color. You’ll receive 10 trees—two each of Flowering Dogwood, Redbud, American Plum, Dolgo Crabapple, and Common Chokecherry. These trees bring fragrant blossoms in spring, attractive foliage through summer, and fruit that birds and pollinators absolutely love. The Flowering Dogwood and Redbud announce spring in spectacular fashion, while American Plum and Chokecherry offer edible fruit for both people and wildlife. Dolgo Crabapple rounds out the bundle with compact size and hardworking appeal. This is a great choice for homeowners who want beauty, biodiversity, and bragging rights.

If you’re thinking more long-term—and possibly envisioning future generations enjoying your shade—the Hardwood Bundle is your match. For $100, you’ll receive 10 trees—two each of White Oak, Red Oak, Paw Paw, Sugar Maple, and Black Walnut. Oaks support hundreds of wildlife species, sugar maples light up fall with brilliant color (and maybe syrup someday), paw paws bring a delicious fruit, and black walnuts offer both edible nuts and valuable wood. This bundle is an investment in the future, and one that keeps paying dividends.

Prefer to mix and match? The sale also includes a wide selection of single species packs of conifers and broadleaf trees, from Eastern White Pine and Norway Spruce to maples, oaks, redbuds, and more. Whether you’re planting a windbreak, restoring habitat, or filling in a bare corner of the yard, there’s a tree that fits the job.

And because planting more trees should be encouraged, bulk discounts make it even sweeter: 5% off orders over $100, 10% off over $200, 15% off over $300, and 20% off over $400. Go big—your future shade will thank you.

You can also add a rain barrel kit for $35 (barrel not included), an easy way to collect free rainwater for your new trees and keep runoff out of our waterways.

Supplies are limited, and orders are filled in the order they’re received, so procrastination is not your friend here. Get your order in by March 6, mark your calendar for pickup in April, and start imagining a greener, more tree-mendous landscape.

For more information or to place an order, visit AshlandSWCD.com or call our office at 419-281-7645. Happy planting—and here’s to growing a tree-mendous and greener tomorrow, one tree at a time.