*Please Note* Ordering for Fall 2012 distribution begins on July 9, 2011 and continues through October 5, 2012. Distribution will be from September 10, 2012 to October 12, 2012.

For more than 40 years the Division has offered low cost seedlings to landowners to plant for reforestation, erosion control, windbreaks, or Christmas tree plantations. Since 1960, more than four million trees have been planted throughout New Mexico that were purchased through this program.

The Forestry Division offers over 50 different species for sale over the course of the fall and spring sales. These seedlings are sold in small containers, large containers and bareroot.

Please note all containerized species are offered in the fall and bare root species and the remaining containerized species are offered in the spring. We switched to this schedule because it has been shown that fall is a highly successful time to plant containerized seedlings. Plants have time to establish roots over the winter while dormant before putting on top growth in the spring and as an added bonus the weather is better for planting. Select your shipping or pickup date so that you can plant your seedlings five to six weeks before your area of the state starts having hard freeze days.

To participate in the program you must own at least one acre of land in New Mexico and the seedlings purchased through the program must be used for conservation purposes. Some qualifying conservation plantings include: reforestation, riparian restoration, wildlife habitat, wind break and Christmas tree plantations. Seedlings may be picked up in Santa Fe, at one of the distribution points across the state or shipped via UPS at no extra charge.

Tree seedlings such as blue spruce, Douglas fir, scotch pine, Austrian pine, Afghanistan pine and white fir may be purchased to grow Christmas tree stock. The establishment of Christmas tree plantations is an example of wise use of New Mexico's land. The "Conservation Seedling Program" provides low cost seedlings for reforestation projects after catastrophic fire and/or tree mortality due to insect and disease epidemics.

Reforestation projects are important in restoring the affected areas back to their original state or improved state. Forested or re-forested lands offer numerous benefits such as aesthetics and recreational value. Other species provided by the program may offer restoration to waterways and minimize surface runoff, which in turn reduces soil erosion. Many of the species offered by the program provide and/or improve habitat for wildlife.

Windbreaks when planted around homes provide protection from hot, dry winds of summer and relief from winter winds and snow. Field and livestock shelterbelts provide protection for soil, young seedlings, crops, livestock and can be used as cover for wildlife. Shelterbelts often increase crop yields and enhance land value. What better reason to plant trees?