The annual Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Shade Tree Sale will run from March 1 through March 5. In the Lafayette and Opelousas area, the sale will start on Feb. 27 and end March 5.

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said Louisiana’s homeowners, hobby urban foresters and gardeners alike have come to anticipate the annual seedling sale.

“They know they’ll be able to purchase a variety of shade tree hardwood and pine seedlings that are descended from superior stock,” Strain said. “They can also purchase the seedlings in small packets.”

The trees available include baldcypress, Chinese elm, cow oak, Shumard oak, river birch, and red maple.

Loblolly pine seedling packets will be available at all locations except Lafayette, New Orleans and Opelousas. Instead, slash pine will be offered for sale at those locations.

The seedling sale will be at a variety of locations across the state at LDAF district facilities.

From March 1 through March 5, seedling packets will be presented for sale at forestry offices throughout the state.

In Lafayette, the seedling sale will be one day only on Feb. 27. In Opelousas, the sale takes place form March 1 through March 5.

The individual species packets of pine and hardwoods are $3.00 per packet.

The pine packet contains 20 seedlings.

The hardwood packets contain six seedlings and include two baldcypress and one Chinese elm, cow oak, Shumard oak and river birch.

Additionally, individual species packets of red maple and river birch may be purchased and will contain six seedlings.

For more information, call one of the district office numbers below specific to your location:

Haughton, 318-949-3225

Monroe, 318-345-7595

Jena, 318-992-1400

Oberlin, 337-639-4978

Opelousas, 337-948-0230

Hammond, 985-543-4057

New Orleans, 504-286-1126

Baton Rouge, 225-925-4500

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