Michigan to sell trees to 21 counties

10/5/2006

MONROE - Residents in 21 Michigan counties that lost trees because of the emerald ash borer will be offered 1,600 landscape-quality trees for $25 each.

Orders will be taken starting Feb. 1, with distribution expected in April.

Residents of Lenawee, Monroe, and Hillsdale counties can submit orders to the Monroe Conservation District and the Michigan State University extension office in Monroe County, said Jennie Stanger, consumer horticulture educator for the Monroe area extension office.

Seven other partner agencies also will take orders. All eight will have access to about 200 trees apiece.

There is a two-tree limit at that price. Each tree will weigh 40 pounds and be about 4 feet to 5 feet tall. Species will include sugar maple, red maple, gingko, tulip tree, red oak, and Littleleaf Linden. Ms. Stanger said they will be bigger than seedlings, but small enough to be carried away.

The program was announced Tuesday by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and DTE Energy Foundation. The costs were underwritten by the foundation.