Does the winter weather seem to keep dragging on? If so, choosing trees and shrubs to plant this spring or putting up bird nesting boxes may lessen the feeling that spring is too slow coming.
The Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District offers a wide variety of species for reforestation, Christmas trees, wildlife food, windbreaks, borders, erosion control and ground cover. The Annual Tree and Shrub Conservation Planting Program sale includes 11 species of evergreens, 25 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, five groundcovers, and five berry species available for planting this spring.
There are five wildlife pacs for different uses to benefit a wide range of wildlife. A fern pac with two each of five fern species and two wild flower pacs round out the selection of bare root stock for sale. Seven wildflower seed mixes for sunny, shady, bird and butterfly and other uses are available in 3/4 and 4 ounce packets. They offer the species and sizes best suited for all types of conservation planting in this area. All stock is bare root and packed with a water gel to keep moist.
New shrubs and trees offered are Arrowwood, a member of the Viburnum cranberry family; Redbud; Black locust; Chinquapin oak and Butternut.
Stock for the sale was ordered from nurseries last September based on previous years’ sales. Generally more evergreens can be ordered if the stock runs out. Deciduous species, however, are not as likely to be available when the stock runs out, especially toward the deadline. The order deadline was April 3, but they will continue sales of available species through the order pick up dates of April 17 and 18.
They feel the district offers a good variety of species for a wide range of conservation plantings for wildlife, songbirds, windbreaks, groundcovers, erosion control, Christmas trees, or other needs. District staff is available to answer questions on species and site selection. Order blanks are available from the Soil and Water Conservation District office, 183 Corporate Dr., Owego. Phone (607) 687-3553, orr e-mail to have one e-mailed or sent by USPS. Order blanks are also on the Conservation District page on the Tioga County website, http://tiogacountyny.com/agencies/soil-water-conservation-district.html. Click on District Sales then the Trees/Shrubs sale form near the bottom of the chart.
They also have ordering information available for the NYSDEC Nursery Program, and have bluebird-nesting boxes for sale. The boxes are built to specifications of the North American Bluebird Society. Traditional bluebird boxes as well as Peterson style boxes are available.
Male bluebirds return to this area in March to find nesting sites. Nesting boxes should be put up soon. Because bluebirds are territorial, nesting pairs typically nest 100 yards apart. Nest boxes should be spaced about 100 yards apart if more than one box is placed in an area. Careful box placement will also reduce competition from tree swallows and house wrens.
Box placement in open grassy spaces discourages competing species. However, a tree or shrub 25 to 100-feet away in front of a box entrance will provide a perch for foraging adults and cover for fledglings’ first flight from the box. Placing two boxes a few yards apart will allow bluebirds to use one while competing species such as house sparrows and tree swallows use the other. Placing boxes a good distance from buildings will help prevent house sparrows from using bluebird boxes.
They also have nesting boxes for other bird groups. Boxes built for black-capped chickadees / house wrens, nuthatch / downy woodpecker / titmouse and flicker are available. A limited number of bat houses are offered as well.
