Underwood Conservation District

Home

About UCD

Programs

Board

Staff

Links

Contact Us!

Search

2012 Plant Sale

Every spring, Underwood Conservation District (UCD) offers low-cost tree and shrub seedlings to residents in the Columbia Gorge. We offer a variety of conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs. They come ready to plant as 2-3 year-old, bare-root seedlings.

Our annual plant sale is one way UCD encourages the restoration of natural habitats and promotes native species. We hope this makes it a convenient, low-cost way for property owners in Skamania and western Klickitat Counties to obtain these trees and shrubs.

Why plant native species? Native plants are those that occur in our area naturally, and they come with adaptations that make them suited to the habitats found in the Columbia Gorge. Using native plants saves money, resources and time, reduces weeds, attracts wildlife and is good for the environment.

Participating in the 2012 Plant Sale is as easy as 1-2-3.

1	Check out trees and shrubs available for 2012. Scroll down for pictures and information. If needed, give us a call at (509) 493-1936 to discuss your plant needs.
2	Place your order. You can order any of the following ways: Email: Fill out the Plant Sale Order Form electronically (Excel file, download here), save form, attach to an e-mail, and send to ucd@gorge.net. Mail: Fill out the Plant Sale Order Form (PDF file, download here) and mail it with payment (checks made payable) to: Underwood Conservation District PO Box 96 White Salmon, WA 98672 In Person: Come to our office (170 NW Lincoln / Park Center Building, White Salmon) Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm, to talk to UCD staff about your planting ideas, and place an order. By Phone: You may also call our office at (509) 493-1936, Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm for more information or to place your order.
3	Mark your calendar. Plant sale orders may be made until March 1, 2012. Customers may pick up their orders at a refrigerated storage unit in White Salmon (exact location to be announced) on Friday, March 23, and Saturday, March 24.

LARGE QUANTITY ORDERS: Large quantity orders will receive price breaks. See Plant Sale Order Form (Excel file).

PLANT PICK-UP: Paid orders will be available for pick up in White Salmon on: Friday, March 23, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, March 24, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. More information will be sent to paid customers. If you have special circumstances that prevent you from picking up your order on these dates, please contact our office to see what special arrangements may be made.

PAYMENTS: Orders are not packaged or made final until payment is received. Please double-check your math (including sales tax) and send your payment with your order form. Please do not send cash in the mail. We accept checks or money orders, but unfortunately cannot accept credit or debit cards.

AVAILABILITY: All plants are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Quantities are limited and some species always sell out, so please order and pay early. See below to see what species have sold out, or call our office to confirm availability of plants prior to sending payment.

2012 PRICES: Prices for conifer seedlings, hardwood (deciduous) trees and shrubs, and hardwood mixed bundles are described below, and may also be viewed in our UCD Plant Sale Order Form (Excel file).

Conifers are $12.50 per bundle of 10 trees of the same species. Discounts are available for orders of 200 trees or more. Seedlings are 2-3 years old.

Hardwood tree and shrub seedlings are available in multiples of 10 per species. Hardwood trees and shrubs are $25.00 per bundle of 10 of the same species. All are 1-2 year old bare-root plants. “W” is adapted to west of the Cascades; “E” is eastside adapted, but may be able to tolerate west-side environments.

Hardwood Mixed Bundles are available for upland and riparian habitats, both east- and west-side adapted. Mixed bundles are $30.00 for a bundle of 10 plants.

To Top of Page

Tree & Shrub Descriptions

Scroll down the page for images and brief descriptions of the species available for the 2012 Plant Sale.

Use the following symbols to help choose appropriate plants for your landscape needs.

Sun exposure			Moisture required			Other notable details
	Prefers full sun			Drought tolerant			Showy flowers
	Takes to sun or shade, or partial shade.			Tolerates dry or wet soils			Attracts pollinators
	Requires shade			Requires wet soil			Sold out

Conifer trees

	Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir is a major component of forests throughout Washington and one of the world’s most valuable timber species. It establishes quickly, but is not very tolerant of soils that are compacted or poorly drained. Young seedlings will tolerate some shade, but require ample sunlight to reach maturity.
	Giant Sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant sequoia (or, redwood tree) is the one non-native species in our plant sale: It occurs naturally in a narrow belt along the west slope of the central Sierra Nevada mountains. Giant sequoias have been grown in Washington for decades. The species requires sunlight and moist but well-drained soils in order to thrive.
	Grand Fir Abies grandis An adaptable evergreen, grand fir can be found at a variety of sites around our area. The tree features glossy, dark green needles. It features prominently in deep forests around the Gifford Pinchot area, from moist riparian to dry upland locations. Also, a popular Christmas tree.
	Noble Fir Abies procera Like the grand fir, the noble is a widespread Northwest native, generally growing at 3,000 to 5,000 feet elevation.
	Ponderosa Pine Pinus poderosa A signature tree of the inland Northwest, the ponderosa is well-adapted to dry, as well as moderate-ly moist, conditions. The ponderosa pine tends to grow tall, straight and quickly. It’s orange-tinted, puzzle-piece bark is singular in the region.
	Western Larch Larix occidentalis Also known as tamarack, larch is unique among the conifers in that it loses its needles in the autumn with a showy golden display. They turn a brilliant yellow then shed with the first frost. Its needles are 1”-1 ˝” long and grow in clusters. Larch grows in both sun and semi-shade. It is not, however, drought-tolerant.
	Western Red-Cedar Thuja plicata The tree that’s range is synonymous with the Pacific Northwest, the western red-cedar can grow in a wide range of soil types, but it is best adapted to soils that are moist and fine textured. It can be abundant in forested swamps and riparian areas. Damage caused by deer, elk, and rodents can result in significant damage to young seedlings and saplings and may require appropriate protection.
	Western White Pine Pinus monticola Similar to ponderosa pine in some regards, western white pine has shorter, some say softer, needles. It tolerates a wide range of precipitation and temperature regimes; however, western white pine is best suited to sites that are well drained with good sun exposure.

To Top of Page

Deciduous trees

	Douglas Maple (aka Rocky Mtn. Maple) Acer glabrum This small tree can grow anywhere from 10 to 30 feet tall. It can tolerate moderate shade but also can grow in full sun. It occurs on wetlands, streambanks, canyons and upland mountain slopes. Though it occurs on both moist and dry sites, it is more closely tied to drainages in arid zones. Flowers are greenish-yellow, appearing early in the spring in small clusters. In the fall the leaves turn from light green to reddish-orange. It is a food source and cover for deer and elk in the winter.
	Oregon Ash Fraxinus latifolia Oregon ash is a riparian and wetland tree that grows throughout Western Washington from sea level to 3,000 feet. It grows to over 60’ tall on a favorable site, but may only reach 25 feet tall on drier soils. Oregon ash can be found growing in a wide range of sites but is best-suited however to moist soils, and often grows along streams, particularly in bottom-lands with heavy, wet soils; it is tolerant of seasonal flooding.
	Oregon White Oak Quercus garryana Oregon white oak has a variable growth habit. It is often found as a small upright irregular-growing tree. Occasionally, mature specimens can reach 60 feet tall with relatively straight trunks. Oregon white oak is adapted to grow on sites that are dry in the summer, but may be dry to wet, even seasonally flooded, in the winter. It does not grow well in heavy shade. Once established, stands of Oregon white oak provide good habitat for many species of birds and mammals.

To Top of Page

Shrubs

	Blue Elderberry Sambucus cerulea A large, fast-growing, sun-loving shrub, blue elderberry grows a fountain of woody canes. The shrub is unmistakable in the fall and early winter for its clusters of Ľ” blue-black berries, which look like tiny grapes. The berries are often used in jams, jellies, pies and wines. Berries provide good wildlife feed in the fall. The blue elderberry bears large clusters of white flowers from May to June.
	Douglas Spirea (aka Hardhack) Spiraea douglasii Douglas spirea grows in sun or shade, in damp, marshy sites, or rocky open upland areas. It is found growing from sea level to mid elevation forests, commonly in wet areas like besides streams. Douglas Spirea can grow from 3 to 8 feet tall, with an approximately equal spread. It can spread by underground runners, creating large thickets. Douglas spirea is readily identified by its spiky pink flower clusters in summer and stalks of brown seed clusters that persist through winter.
	Indian Plum (aka Osoberry) Oemleria cerasiformis Indian plum is found growing in variety of sites that range from dry upland sites to moist riparian areas. It grows in either open, fully exposed sites, or as an under-story species growing in full shade. It can grow up to 18 feet tall, spreading to 15 feet wide. Indian plum is one of the first flowering native shrubs to herald the approach of spring. Its white, fragrant, drooping flowers appear in March, before many species leaf out. The flowers give rise to berries that ripen and turn purple in June, which provide a favorite source of food for many bird species.
	Mock-Orange (aka Syringa) Philadelphus lewisii The most ornamental northwest native that is an upright shrub. Spring brings masses of white blooms that smell like oranges giving it its name. Medium green leaves turn to clear yellow in fall. Furnishes excellent cover and habitat for wildlife. Maturity to 10’; sun to partial shade; drought tolerant.
	Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor Typically found in dry woodland areas. May be difficult to establish but once established, quickly becomes a large, clump-forming shrub. Cascades of white, foamy flowers give it its name. Long gray-green leaves with gray-white undersides show some yellow in the autumn. Normally all stems are formed from a basal crown or from suckers. Very hard wood traditionally used for making arrows; was called ironwood. Maturity to 15’ tall and 20’ wide; partial shade; low drought tolerance.
	Red-Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum Red-flowering currant can be found growing throughout our region at low to mid-elevations, predominantly on exposed, well-drained sites, where it grows very well.  It can also be found in shadier, damp sites. Currant can grow to 12 feet tall and spread approximately 10 feet wide.  It is an important species for upland soil stabilization in restoration projects.  Its rose-pink flowers in February brighten any late-winter garden.
	Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea Sometimes called red willow. A medium sized, native shrub with bright twigs and brilliant red foliage in the fall. This multi-stemmed, woody shrub is found on moist sites along perennial streams. White flowers in May are followed by white berries in late summer providing an important food and browse for wildlife. Plant will sucker. Maturity to 15’;sun to partial shade; not drought tolerant.
	Vine Maple Acer circinatum Vine Maple occurs throughout the Cascades in Washington at elevations from sea level to 4,500 feet, ranging from sunny to shady, and wet to dry, from moist bottom-lands, to dry rocky slopes.  It grows best in areas with moist soils and some shade. Vine Maple grows as a large shrub or small deciduous tree.  Its habit is highly variable, often depending upon exposure.  It can grow from 10 to 30 feet high with an equally variable spread. Its seeds are an important food source for many species of birds, squirrels, and rodents.  The autumn leaf color can be quite vivid.

Please see our list of local Native Plant Nurseries.

What is a Native Plant?

“Native species are those that occur in the region in which they evolved. Plants evolve over geologic time in response to physical and biotic processes characteristic of a region: the climate, soils, timing of rainfall, drought, and frost; and interactions with the other species inhabiting the local community. Thus native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions, providing a practical and ecologically valuable alternative for landscaping, conservation and restoration projects.”

Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/nativeplants.shtml

To Top of Page

Why Landscape with Native Plants?

REDUCE INVASIVE WEEDS

Invasive weeds are a big problem across much of the country.  Many of these invasives were first planted as garden ornamentals, which then escaped into the natural landscape, wreaking havoc on native plant populations

SAVE MONEY AND RESOURCES

In the west 60% of consumed water goes to lawns.  Consider digging up portions of your lawn that you tend to have the most trouble with, and plant with drought-tolerant native plants.

SAVE TIME

Native plant landscapes tend to take care of themselves.  Replanting a lawn with native plants reduces time spent mowing, raking, and watering.

ATTRACT WILDLIFE

Use native plants to attract native wildlife like birds and butterflies into your yard.

THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!

There are lots of beautiful and unique native flowers, trees, and shrubs to choose from.

GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Because native plants are already adapted to the pests and soils of the area, they require little, if any, pesticides or fertilizers.    

Native plants help control erosion and reduce run-off, keeping sediments and pollutants out of our waterways.

Interested in learning more about how to landscape with native plants or just want to know more about the native plants in our area?  Click here for a list of resources. 

To Top of Page