Native plants have evolved to grow in the soils, topography, and climate of western Washington. This gives them decided advantages, including greater resistance to pests and better ability to withstand wet winters and dry summers. Uses for native plants include naturescaping (low-water requirement landscapes), rain garden installations, wildlife enhancement, reforestation, wetland and stream enhancement, and erosion control, as well as landscaping around homes and farms. It is for these reasons that conservation districts across the state promote the use of native plants.

Native plants purchased through the District’s plant sale are bare root stock, which means they do not come in pots or burlap bags. The plants are harvested from the field in winter when dormant, and at a time when they are ready to be replanted. These conservation grade bare root plants have well-developed roots and are easy to handle, transport and plant. We strive to provide you with large quantities of high quality affordable bare root trees and shrubs. The plants are grown or brokered from the Washington Association of Conservation Districts nursery located in Skagit County.

Also available for sale are tree tubes to protect young plants from rodent damage and deer browse, and Plantskydd Animal Repellent soluble powder, which can be an effective odor-based herbivore repellant. It lasts three to four months during the growing season and up to six months during the winter. Also be sure and check out Woodbrook Nursery’s selection of potted native plants available only on the pick-up days.

To Order: Orders will be taken until Friday, January 21, 2011. Simply fill out the order form and mail it along with your check to: Pierce Conservation District, Attn. Tree Sale, P.O. Box 1057, Puyallup, WA 98371. In the event we cannot fill all or part of your order, a plant substitution will be offered or a refund will be available.

Payment: All orders must be pre-paid to secure them; an exception to this is for groups or other customers using purchase orders.

Plant Pick-Up: Customers will be able to pick-up their plant order on March 4 and 5 at the Pierce Conservation District office located at 5430 66th Ave. E. in Puyallup. A map and schedule to pick-up your order will be mailed with your receipt. Every effort is made to ensure your plants’ roots remain moist. However, they cannot be guaranteed past the designated pick-up days, so orders not picked up on the specified dates will be donated to local non-profits on Wednesday, March 9, at 12 p.m. There are no refunds for orders not picked up. If you do experience high mortality with your plants soon after they are picked up, please call to obtain a replacement plant coupon for the 2012 sale.

Quantities and Availability: All shrubs and broadleaf trees are sold in bundles of five. All conifer trees, ground covers, and tree tubes and stakes are sold in bundles of ten. All plants are sold on a first come, first served basis. Quantities of some species are limited, so order early for best selection.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding your order or our plant materials, please call René at (253) 845-9770 ext. 106.