January 20th is Shelterbelt Tree Ordering Day
The MCSN in cooperation with the Montana Extension Service, local Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, offers low-cost tree and shrub seedlings for use in conservation plantings. MCSN seedlings are for conservation practices and cannot be used for ornamental or landscape plantings. Landscape plants can be purchased at your local private retail nursery or garden center.
The Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery (MCSN) will begin taking orders for shelterbelt trees at 6:00 a.m. on January 20, 2025. The MSCN operates on a first come, first served basis for all orders. The MSCN no longer produces bareroot plant material including caragana. Shelterbelt plans can be approved by the MSCN staff, the Big Sandy Conservation District or by the MSU
Extension Chouteau County agent. The fastest way to get your order in is by emailing your packet to Ashley Mattson at mtnursery@mt.gov. Mailing your order will delay your place in line by approximately four days during transit. Current tree inventory is available at bit.ly/3rk0UhD. The link is also available at the Chouteau County Extension website.
The least expensive shipping option to receive plants is to have an order delivered to the Chouteau County Courthouse by refrigerated truck. Trees usually arrive close to the second or third week in April depending on when the frost goes out of the ground in Missoula. Tree orders must be received by the first of April.
Montana State University U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
