Tree Program
Trees are a part of our future. They provide wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, enhance water quality, save energy costs, help clear the air and add beauty to our homes and farmsteads.
Seedling trees are available to purchase in the spring with over 30 species to choose from, including cedars, pines, hardwoods and shrubs. The Little Blue NRD, along with your local NRCS office can meet with you to discuss what you want to achieve by planting trees.
The NRCS office can help you develop and design a tree plan outlining the variety and number of seedlings needed if you wish to start or renovate a windbreak. If over 100 trees are planted, cost share funds may be available to assist you with the cost.
Contact your local NRCS office for more information:
- Adams County: (402) 462-5412, ext. 3
- Clay County: (402) 762-3569, ext. 3
- Fillmore County: (402) 759-4017, ext. 3
- Jefferson County: (402) 729-6134, ext. 3
- Nuckolls County: (402) 225-2311 ext. 3
- Thayer County: (402) 768-6228, ext. 3
- Webster County: (402) 746-2268, ext. 3
The NRD has handplant trees that you can plant yourself. You can order any number of each species you desire to plant.
- Handplant order form
- Price list
- Tree Policy
- Tree Site Preparation Brochure
- Conservation Trees for Nebraska website
Weed Barrier
Weed Barrier is a polypropylene fabric, with the appearance of tightly woven burlap, used to control weed growth and help preserve soil moisture in tree and shrub plantings. This bio-degradable fabric's life expectancey is seven to nine years.
The Barrier eliminates the need for mechanical or chemical weed control directly around the trees. Supplemental watering is held in the soil longer when the weed barrier is applied. This is due to the limited amount of evaporation that occurs. Test results indicate survival rates of 95% or better (when conditions/weather are right)
The fabric will be laid on first year plantings and some two year old stock. The older species will depend on size, spacing and ground preparation. It is impossible to place the fabic over cottonwoods and walnut trees due to their lack of flexibility.
The NRD will only install weed barrier on level or straight rows. The Little Blue NRD sometimes has cost share funds available for applying weed barrier for tree sites.