RCCD, in cooperation with the Colorado State Forest Service, sells bare root and potted seedling trees for conservation purposes; including wind breaks, visual screens, erosion control, and wildlife habitat improvements. This seedling tree program enables farmers, ranchers and rural landowners to obtain shrubs and trees at nominal cost. Landowners with a minimum of 2 acres of land are eligilbe to participate.
The State Forest nusery in Fort Collins grows more than 2 million seedlings each year and approximately 40 species are available through the RCCD seedling tree program. Several of the seedling trees available include: cotoneaster, caragana, current, chokcherry, sand cherry, golden willow, Colorado blue spruce, Rocky Mountain juniper, bristlecone pine and lodgepole pine. Choose from the numerous varieties of trees and shrubs to meet your application's specific needs.
Tree planting is a symbol of our faith in and hope for the future and planting, caring for and nurturing trees is a reminder of our long-term commitment to conservation. According to the State Forest, the following are 10 ways to use trees to benefit our environment and contribute to our community's conservation efforts:

1. 'Trees help control soil erosion. Plant windbreaks to slow the wind - roots hold the soil in place.
2. Create a snowfence using trees to control blowing/drifting snow, reducing fuel consumption and labor costs associated with snow removal.
3. Use wood products whenever possible instead of non-renewable resources. Then, plant trees to renew the resource you are using.
4. Trees help cleanse the air. They control air polluting gases through oxygenation and dilution.
5. Reduce noise by planting buffers.
6. Ask for paper instead of plastic sacks when shopping. Each spring, plant a tree to replace the paper.
7. Grow tree and shrub species which annually shed leaves on your home's south and west sides to cool your residence, reducing energy used for air conditioning, but allowing the sun's rays through in the winter saving home heating dollars. Evergreens planted on the north side block cold winter winds.
8. Provide wildlife habitat in urban and natural forests and in streamside areas.
9. Increase young people's environmental awareness and conservation action through environmental education programs.
10. Plant a tree to beautify Colorado!'

Order forms will be available in October at the Routt County Extension Office in the County Courthouse Annex on 6th street and at the RCCD office at 1475 Pine Grove Rd Ste 201A in Steamboat Springs. Remember to order early - quantities are limited and some species sell very quickly. Seedlings generally arrive for pick up the first week in May and program participants will be informed of the exact pick up date, time, and location. NOTE: All trees must be picked up on the date and time specified!! If the trees are not picked up, the trees will be resold and your money returned. Do not leave them in the care of RCCD!
Place your tree order soon to begin your conservation efforts!!

Please call us if you would like more information on the seedling tree program. 970-879-3225 x3.