Tree Planting Program

Tree Planting Services | Prices | Site Prep Assistance | Cost Share Assistance | Cooperators Responsibilities | How To Apply  | 2008 Tree Order Form

Tree Planting Services

The Middle Republican has many varieties of trees and shrubs available to landowners. Trees may be purchased as hand plants - where you plant the trees yourself, or as machine plantings, where the district crews plant them for you. The tree planting crew, using a machine treeplanter, are capable of planting thousands of seedlings in a day.

Before placing your order view the Conservation Trees For Nebraska Guide.

Water conservation mulch, to control weeds and conserve water, is also available and is recommended for most plantings to give your trees the best chance at survival.

Prices (Spring 2008)

All handplant and non-cost share orders must be paid in full at the time of the order. The minimum order for handplants is 25 trees per species. Any special potted trees are sold in bundles of 30 at $1.25 a piece. Special order prices and quantities are determined by the MRNRD and their supplier. Billings on special order trees are prepared by Middle Republican NRD staff.

Other Tree Planting Supplies:

Site Prep Assistance

Sites with tall grass must be mowed

Must be pre-approved by District

Cost-Share Assistance

Local cost share dollars up to 50% are available to landowners planting trees and shrubs that meet district specifications and that are purchased from the MRNRD. Cost-share rates of 25% are available for trees and mulch to be applied to CRP acres. Contact the MRNRD office for details on the Continuous CRP cost-share program. The Middle Republican NRD requires a 200 tree minimum purchase to be eligible for cost-share and tree plans must be designed by the MRNRD, NRCS, or the District Forester. Trees must also be planted by MRNRD tree crews.

A deposit is required for cost-share approval. Required deposits are:

• .25 cents per tree
• $25.00 for machine planting
• $1.00 per tree for water conservation mulch

Rows must have an in-row spacing of 12 foot or less to be eligible for cost-share on mulch.

Tree planting crews may refuse to plant trees or install mulch on sites without adequate site preparation.

For all other cost-share programs including WILD Nebraska, contact the MRNRD office for current requirements.

Get more information on the Cost-Share Assistance Program.

Cooperators Responsibilities

In order for newly planted trees to have the best chance of survival there are several things that should be done by the cooperator before the MRNRD tree planting crew arrives. Site preparation should be similar to that of a backyard garden.

If trees are to be planted in previously cropped ground, the MRNRD technicians may require that the ground be disked. For trees being planted in old sod or grassland more work may be required of the cooperator. The sod should be plowed in the fall and allowed to fallow through the winter and then disked in the spring. Just prior to planting, the ground should again be harrowed or disked to eliminate any weeds which have already germinated. Before requesting rototilling on sod or grassland, tall grass must be mowed first.

Read a current Tree Planting Guide.

How To Apply

To purchase trees and shrubs or to apply for planting services, contact the Middle Republican NRD or your county Natural Resources Conservation Service. The MRNRD and the NRCS will help you design and develop a tree planting plan free of charge. This could include determining how many trees or shrubs you will need, the best location for your planting, and the type (species) of tree that best fits your specific needs.

The Middle Republican NRD purchases tree stock from several locations including Bessey Nursery near Halsey, Nebraska. Customers will be notified in the spring when their trees are ready for pick up or when the tree planting crew will be in their area. Orders should be placed early in the fall to ensure receiving the quantity and variety you desire.