Since 1985 the St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District has organized an annual Tree Sale. 

This year we are excited to also feature Rain Barrels, Rain Barrel Accessories, and a tumbling composter, all available for pre-order along with the trees, shrubs, groundcover, and wildflower seeds we offer.  Download the Order Form by CLICKING HERE

Each year we offer from 20 to 25 species of native and/or non-invasive tree and shrubs seedlings, as well as other plants.

The seedlings are purchased from wholesale nurseries and brought to the St. Joseph County 4H Fairgrounds, where the event takes place. These species grow well in northern Indiana conditions and are suited for soil stabilization projects, wind breaks, protect soil and water quality, to add diversity to a wildlife habitat area or just to plant around the yard. 

Over the past 25 years, you have helped us place more than 400,000 trees throughout our community.  

Our annual Tree Sale not only aligns with our Mission Statement, but it is also one of our main ways to raise funds to pay for education and outreach programs, as well as our operating expenses.  

1.  Annual Tree Sale Objectives

• Supply a wide selection of native plants for conservation projects in the community.
• Encourage homeowners to consider native (non-invasive) plant species in their landscaping.
• Provide education on tree planting, conservation, planning and other related topics to landowners.
• Maintain and increase conservation partnership visibility in the community.
• Serve as a fundraiser for the St. Joseph County SWCD.

2.  Ordering Trees Through St. Joseph County SWCD

• The Tree Sale is an annual event held during mid-April.
• Order Forms will be mailed out to our "tree sale mailing list" in early December 2011, and are also inserted into our Kaleidoscope Newsletter in January, 2012.
• To join our Newsletter mailing list, call 574.291.7444 x3 or email us at info@stjosephswcd.org. 
• If you wish to receive only the Order Form and not the newsletter, just let us know.
• Download the Order Form by CLICKING HERE

3.  Deciding What To Plant

Our website provides links numerous online resources.  To go right to our webpage on Tree and Shrub Planting, use the shortcut to www.tinyurl.com/stjoe-swcdtrees. 

Attend our FREE Tree Selection & Planting Seminar on February 7, 2012 at 6:00pm at the Centre Township Branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library, at Kern and Miami Roads in South Bend.

The Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS) maintains a list of  books about plants that are native to Indiana at www.inpaws.org/reference_books.html.

4.  Discover What Your Tree is Worth

The research of the U.S. Forest Service has led to the development of an interesting tool called the “National Tree Benefits Calculator”. 

This tool allows you to determine the dollar value of the economic and environmental benefits provided by any tree in your yard.  

First, visit www.arborday.org/calculator and you will be asked to enter your zip code so that the calculations can be based on the unique climate and environmental factors in your area.  Next, you will have a dropdown list of 70 different species to choose from.  Simply add the diameter of the tree and the kind of property (residential, commercial, park, etc.), and hit the “Calculate” button. 

Your results include the overall annual dollar contribution of your tree, and the calculator further breaks down  the dollar benefits related to the various services your tree provides to you (stormwater retention, energy savings, air quality improvement, property value enhancement, etc.)