Cheap trees?

Ok so I am a teacher... and I have the job of setting up to school gardens this year (really there is nothing there and the building is from the 1950s white brick three story) I need to get bushes, trees, and crepe myrtles (at least that is our dream!) to start the gardens there. I am starting some trees by seed but I would love to have some trees that are bigger.. and shrubs would be nice to start with rather then having to go with seeds. Seedlings are fine but I would need 100 or so..... any one know a cheap place (my budget is very small... very small)to get some plants? Some one told me before Vernon and Sons I think it is - anyone worked with them before?

Mitch

Hi,
I don't know about TX. but the Missouri Dep't of Conservation has a state nursery.
MO. sells mostly tree seedlings by the bundle (25). They have some shrubs in there, but mostly tree seedlings. Only MO. residents can buy these, sorry.
There might be a similar seedling program in TX. I think alot of states have it.
I found this with a web search - http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1165
The MO. program only takes orders Nov. thru April so their might be similar restrictions in TX., dunno.
A teacher shouldn't have any trouble finding out if TX. has a nursery. :)
Will

Oops, I just noticed something at that site, their not cheap. Mo.'s is average $8 a bundle of 25 for a little smaller seedlings than that.
That might not be an official TX. Dep't of Conservation state site.

I have many crepe myrtles, 4 or 5 colors. Does anyone know it they will root in a bubble system? If they will I would be willing to start them and then send them to you. I have a lot of seed but don't know if it will germinate as I have not tried it. My crepes are now blooming out and I am cutting off the dead blooms. I can collect those by color and sent to you if that will help. Let me know Elaine Mays County Commissioner and I know how short budgets are. jelaine@mchsi.com

That is the state site and they are 1. very small, and 2 half dont make it...

Crepe - if you would send me dormant cuttings I can root in soil during the winter and would be most thankful!

ask your local nursery or wal-mart if they have a matching funds or discount for non-profits and tell them what you are doing and wanting. many places love the community action/relations work.

Lowes or Home Depot may be able to help you also. Check with them for funds.

Tried Lowes and Home Depot - Home Depot said no Lowes already had a place for this year...

I will check out the nurseries that I can find near here.

This message was edited Sep 10, 2007 9:07 PM

wow that's unreal

Home Depot here told me that they never do schools... I dont know if that is mine or if that is the whole of Home Depot...

Lowes looks promising if I can hold out for them - we really want to get things started. Our building is from the 1950s with one lone tree.... one way or another I am going to get in there and see what I can do.

i know here around kc the local nurseries grow their own trees. they buy acreage in the country plant them and harvest as needed for inventory. I don't know about red oak tx. if they do that or not.

I will give it a try - it would have to be way out from here... I am in Dallas county and there is not the land anywhere to raise your own trees with the metroplex but they must get them somewhere...

This message was edited Sep 10, 2007 9:17 PM

hardwoods are grown up here. but i know the conifers are shipped in. I guess it depends on what grows good in what areas. i know tx grows a lot of roses. but they grow none around here. is there any tree farms in the yellow pages?

Will check to see... mine got composted... ummmm needed more brown stuff and added it to the pile...

but will check at work in the morning.

www.tree-land.com

Yikes 150 and up per tree... looks like I am going to have to do some more fund raising! I know they will be good sized though...

Mitch, you might want to check into Arborday.org. for a $10 membership you get 10 trees. If 10 teachers or parents joined you'd have your 100. Disclaimer: I'm not an employee or aff. in any way. I was once a member, but not now. Just my idea :)
Bonnie

i think if you tell them what it's for you should get a much better deal.

Look for grant money at the state level. Most state Dept's of Natural Resources have some money available through grants. Make a phone call and explain the purpose of the project. Someone should match you up with grant possibilities and send you the applications. Then you choose the grant or grants which most closely match your project's objectives. Typically, they are some type of matching grant. Your organization or group puts some money in the pot and the state contributes on a percentage basis. Good luck! It sounds like a very worthwhile endeavor.

Or if all else fails, you could see if students, parents, teachers, people in the community, etc might be interested in "sponsoring" a tree for an amount equal to whatever one tree would cost you.

Have you contacted the Texas Native Plant Society? They have a very strong organization and probably a website with info about nurseries or someone to contact. Some states also have seedling sales in late winter with bundles of very cheap young trees. Your county agent or forestry dept. can give you details.
Stephen F. Austin Univ. has faculty members you may be able to talk to. Please learn about what trees would thrive in your climate; I'm a native plant enthusiast myself and think that crape myrtles are way, way overdone. They bloom in summer, OK. But so do tons of tough Texas wildflowers that your kids can grow from seed. Native American Seed, Wildflower Farms are both in Texas and have websites. Ask for help. There are many people who will help if you let them know what you're doing. It sounds like a great project.
Drive friendly, Texas!

I am a native nut too - I will email and call all those wonderful leads this morning.

Thank you Mitch

since acorns and other seeds are falling now, maybe students could have a collecting
outing, some for school and some seeds for the students to plant at home, hardware cloth
may be needed to protect planted seeds from squirrels. jim

Mitch,
seabreezy mentioned arborday.org. We did a major planting that included the whole school for arbor day about 7 yrs. ago. In exchange for publicity (we had to get the local newspaper to cover the planting) we received free trees and shrubs from this group. We also contacted a native plant nursery, Wildearth ,who deeply discounted plants. The local garden club had a fund that supported local projects and they donated plants. We also asked for donations of stepping stones and plants etc. through the gardenclub and school newsletters. The PTA started a Beautification Committee that offered funds and volunteers. Classes adopted trees to take care of as part of the science program.

MitchF, you could try and contact area Master Gardener groups. Many of them have extra funds that go to local schools, etc. that could purchase some trees. Perhaps you could ask local nurseries if they would sell you plants and trees for less than retail with the MG money. They wouldn't be giving you the plants but maybe they could give you a break on the price.

Great - Arbor Day, sounds wonderful.. Master Gardeners - will try there too...


Love the ideas!!! Mitch