Submitted Photo Pictured are some of the trees and shrubs purchased as part of the 2021 Chautauqua County Soil & Water District tree and shrub sale.

The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District broke its personal record for the number of tree and shrub orders that were processed despite shortages experienced by nurseries across the state due to a widespread increase in demand.

A record-breaking, 479 orders were distributed as of April 30.

As a result of this year’s sale: 2,295 fir seedlings/transplants, 2,035 pine seedlings/transplants, 1,996 spruce seedlings/transplants, 1,202 other conifer variety seedlings/transplants, 3,538 nut producing hardwood seedlings, 2,506 non nut producing hardwood seedlings, 4,288 shrub seedlings, 95 fern seedlings, 2,557 berry plantings, 338 domestic fruit trees and 495 wildlife fruit trees were introduced into Chautauqua County and its surrounding areas. Thirty-five species that are native to New York and 25 species that are exclusively native to Chautauqua County were selected specifically for this year’s sale.

The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District holds its annual tree and shrub sale to promote landowner conservation practices by offering the public plantings at an affordable rate. Landowners can practice conservation by planting seedlings, transplants and conservation seed mixes to provide food and shelter to wildlife, reduce heating/cooling expenses, protect water quality with buffers, reduce air pollution and stabilize eroded land. Seedlings are an inexpensive way to replace trees that have been damaged, harvested or lost to disease. To learn more about the annual tree and shrub sale, visit SoilWater.Org/Annual-Tree-Shrub-Sale/

The district will also hold its upcoming fall fishpond stocking sale. Order forms are expected to be distributed and/or available for download in July. Recommended stocking rates are 25 largemouth bass, 25 channel catfish, and/or 50 rainbow/brook trout per quarter-acre to half-acre of pond surface area. The minimum order for game fish is 25. Japanese Koi and triploid grass carp are purchased individually. Permits are required for all triploid grass carp purchases. Visit SoilWater.Org/Spring-Fall-Fish-Stocking-Sale/ to learn how to obtain a Triploid Grass Carp Permit and a Farm Fishpond Stocking License.

Email Chaut-Co@SoilWater.Org to be added to the district’s tree and shrub and/or fishpond stocking mailing list. Like and follow Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District on Facebook to receive sale updates and to learn more about district programming.