The tree and shrub sale is open for orders until August 28th
Native plants provide a number of benefits to our communities, including environmental, social and even economic benefits. Native trees, shrubs and other plants improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and provide enrichment and enjoyment to the property. Planting native trees and shrubs expands important habitat for pollinators such as butterflies and bees, as well as numerous native and migratory bird species by providing nesting sites and year-round direct and indirect food sources.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Native plants provide a number of benefits to our communities, including environmental, social and even economic ones. Native trees, shrubs and other plants improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and provide property enrichment and enjoyment. Planting native trees and shrubs expands habitat for pollinators such as butterflies and bees, as well as numerous native and migratory bird species, by providing nesting sites and year-round direct and indirect food sources. By increasing the diversity of native plants on your property, you may discover additional indirect benefits, such as beneficial insects that control pests, greater wildlife biodiversity, including new bird species that rely on caterpillars to feed their young, and plant elements that provide year-round interest. Once established, native plants require less water and, when used properly, less fertilizer, saving both time and money. Planting native trees and shrubs along waterways as riparian buffers offers many benefits. These plantings stabilize the riverbank soil and prevent erosion. They also provide shade and keep water temperatures lower and oxygen levels higher, which benefits fish and other stream life. Trees along the riverbank are an important source of food for stream inhabitants when the leaves fall in the fall. They also protect our waters by filtering some of the pollutants such as chemical residues and road salt from paved surfaces.
Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program helps residents across the state gain access to native trees and shrubs while raising money for projects that educate communities and promote healthy watersheds. The annual Native Tree and Shrub Sale is an online pre-sale where customers can make their purchases in August and pick up their orders in the fall. Each year, the program curates a different selection of native trees and shrubs to highlight based on watershed improvement goals, community interest, healthy stock and availability, and landscape needs. A native wholesale nursery in Pennsylvania that strives to use ecologically sound practices offers the species, which are sold in 1-, 2- or 3-gallon pots.
Please note that all species offered are native to at least parts of Pennsylvania, but not necessarily all Parts of Pennsylvania. We encourage you to select species that are native to your planting zone. If you need assistance determining if a species is native to your area, please contact the Master Watershed Steward’s hotline at [email protected].
The tree and shrub sale is open for orders until August 28th.
Species overview and Q&A webinar
Choosing the right tree or shrub for the right spot on your property can be a challenge. To make things a little easier, the Master Watershed Stewards will be offering a webinar before the sale begins that will provide details on each species offered in the current sale, allow residents to ask questions about the species, and provide an introduction to the logistics of the sale. The webinar costs $5 and anyone who watches the webinar live or a recording of the webinar will receive a coupon code worth $5 toward their purchase at the tree sale.
Access the 2024 Native Tree and Shrub Sales Species Overview and Q&A Webinar.
Pre-order sale
The 2024 sale will begin in early August, with site-specific pickup dates between September 20 and October 19. This year, there are 18 different native trees and shrubs to choose from and there are 27 locations across the state.
The tree and shrub sale is open for orders until August 28th.
List of species and sizes 2024
Shrubs
- Black Chokeberry – 2 gallons
- Bottlebrush Buckeye – 2 gallons
- Elderberry – 2 gallons
- Lowbush Blueberry – 1 gallon
- Nannyberry – 2 gallons
- Northern Myrica Plant – 1 Gallon
- purple raspberry – 1 gallon
- Silk Willow – 2 gallons
- Snowberry – 2 gallons
- sweet pepper bush – 2 gallons
Trees
- American Plum – 2 gallons
- American Sweetgum – 3 Gallons
- Bald Cypress – 2 gallons
- Honey locust – 2 gallons
- Hops Hornbeam – 3 gallons
- Red Horse Chestnut – 2 gallons
- River Birch – 2 gallons
- Swamp White Oak – 3 Gallons
Cost
- 1-gallon pots: $20
- 2-gallon pots: $30
- 3-gallon pots: $40
Download the 2024 species table with planting requirements and species-specific notes.
This year, customers will have 27 pickup locations to choose from. Proceeds from the annual sale of native trees and shrubs will benefit the Master Watershed Steward’s activities in the region.
Sales feedback
Did you order during the 2024 sale? Please give us your feedback on the sale.
Use this form to provide general feedback about the tree sale.
Webinar on how to properly plant trees after the sale
New in 2024 is a post-sale webinar titled “Properly Planting Native Trees for Long-Term Success.” The success of newly planted trees in the landscape depends not only on proper planting techniques, but site selection and subsequent care are critical to the success of your planting.
In this webinar, attendees will learn how to select the right planting location for their trees and shrubs, including microsite conditions and the size of their planting area to ensure the success of their planting. This webinar focuses on container trees and the species included in the 2024 Annual Native Tree and Shrub Sale.
What will you learn?
- How to assess your planting location in terms of sun and wind exposure as well as drainage conditions
- The recommended proximity to power lines for the 18 tree and shrub species on offer
- Other considerations, such as possible de-icing agent/tree salt tolerance and visual appeal
- Proper planting techniques for trees and shrubs in containers, including planting depth, root management, soil care and pest control
- Ongoing maintenance and aftercare, including watering, pruning and damage inspection
Who is it for?
- Customers for sale of native trees and shrubs
- Environmentalists and volunteers
- Landowner
- Watershed associations and environmental groups
- Anyone interested in the correct tree planting technique
Register online
–Penn State Extension
