2024 Tree Seedling Distribution Program

To place a seedling order, email (preferred) or telephone Travis van Engelen at Severn Sound Environmental Association Tvanengelen@severnsou​n​d.ca or 705-528-2322.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORDERING BY EMAIL

Include all the following information (incomplete orders will not be processed). :

• • Your municipality (Tay, Tiny, Midland, Penetanguishene, Severn, Oro-Medonte, Springwater, Georgian Bay Twp.)
  • If you are located in Oro-Medonte, Springwater or Georgian Bay, please confirm you are in the Severn Sound watershed portion of the municipality (see map:  here or provide us with the​​​​​ with the address where the trees will be planted and the nearest road intersection​)
  • Your first and last name*
  • Your daytime phone number
  • An alternate phone number
  • Your email address
  • The location where the trees will be planted* (i.e., civic/street address and municipality if possible OR lot, concession and township)​
  • Your mailing address
  • The number of bundles of each species you would like to order from this year’s price list (trees are sold in bundles of 10)

    SSEA staff will verify that the requested stock is available, confirm your payment amount, and provide payment instructions.

If you submit an order and do not receive a response or acknowledgement by January 15th, assume your order was not received, and contact Travis by telephone (705-528-2322).

​For the 2024 Tree Distribution Program, all species are being sold in bundles of 10 seedlings. The price per bundle varies by species; all applicable taxes are included. See the 2024 Price List below. 
*Please note: new this year, there will be a $20 packaging fee added to each order to cover a portion of packaging charges from the tree nursery*

Contact Travis van Engelen at tvanengelen@severnsound.ca to be added to an email distribution list. You will be notified about next year’s seedling program as soon as details are available [Severn Sound Environmental Association does not sell, trade, or exchange mailing lists].

Alternately, visit tree-seedling-distribution for updates on the program.

The participating municipalities, available species, and prices are typically finalized by early December. Seedlings must be pre-ordered in December/January.

The Tree Seedling Distribution Program is open to residents in the Severn Sound area​ of the following municipalities:

No – for the Tree Distribution Program, all species are sold in bundles of 10 seedlings. The seedling program typically sells 8,000-10,000 seedlings annually, which makes it too labour-intensive to split up bundles into smaller quantities. Consider sharing a bundle of seedlings with friends, neighbours, or family.

Bare-root plant material is sold with the roots exposed and bare of soil (i.e., seedlings are not potted). The stock is grown in fields, and is harvested in early spring when the plant is dormant. Bare-root stock is perishable, and must be handled carefully and planted as soon as possible. Buying bare-root stock is considerably cheaper than purchasing container-grown plants.

No – Severn Sound Environmental Association does not have any stock larger than what is listed for sale. For larger stock, ask at a local nursery or garden centre.

​For more information on species characteristics, see our Species Selection Guide. 

(Note: Some species are not available every year. Check the current year’s price list for species offered this year.)

The deadline for ordering trees is January 12, 2024. Orders received after this date will NOT be accepted because we have to confirm our bulk order with the nursery. A limited number of trees are available, and we usually sell out of many species – order early to avoid disappointment.

Payment option and instructions will be given with your order confirmation.

There are no refunds on orders less than $40.00 and no refunds on orders cancelled after – January 12, 2024.

For more information on preparing for tree planting, read the information on Site Preparation. Tree seedlings are perishable, and must be handled carefully and planted as soon as possible, ideally the same day they are picked up

Participants are provided with several options for pick up date and location. A receipt with pick-up instructions is sent BY EMAIL in early April. If you purchase trees and do not receive your receipt by early April, contact Travis van Engelen by telephone, at 705-528-2322. Receipts are required as proof of purchase on the pick-up date.

If you are unable to pick up your seedlings on the designated date, you are required to make arrangements to have someone pick up your order on your behalf (please send them with your receipt). We do not have the appropriate facilities available to store or distribute seedlings after the pick-up day.

​Individual orders of tree/shrub seedlings will be packaged in tree bags. Tree bags are large paper bags with a plastic liner, similar in size to a large curbside garbage bag. Depending on the type and size of the trees and the quantity of trees in the order, more than one tree bag may be required. Generally, one tree bag will hold approximately 200-300 trees, therefore only large orders will require more than one bag.

A trailer is not generally needed for picking up seedlings. Tree orders containing several hundred trees and/or a large proportion of evergreen seedlings will be bulkier than small orders of hardwood/shrub seedlings. Large orders may require a pick-up truck, but many smaller orders will fit in a van or in the trunk of a car. It is important to handle seedlings gently, and keep the seedlings cool and well ventilated at all times. Travel time should be minimized to prevent the seedlings from overheating in your vehicle, so plan to take your seedlings directly home once you pick them up.

Tree seedlings are perishable, and must be handled carefully and planted as soon as possible, ideally the same day they are picked up. For more information on handling, planting and caring for seedlings, read our Tree Planting Tips and Careful Handling of Nursery Stock.

Tree seedlings should ideally be planted the same day they are picked up. Inexperienced tree planters should plan on planting approximately 400 trees per person in an eight-hour day. Experienced tree planters will usually plant 1000 trees or more per person in a day.

If the right tree was selected for the planting site, fertilizer should not be needed to produce healthy trees. Be aware that fertilizer can harm tree seedlings if used improperly:

Never add fertilizer to the hole before planting seedlings – fertilizer can damage the delicate roots.

Too much nitrogen causes above-ground seedling growth at the expense of root development.

To help your seedlings grow, keep the area around the tree free from grass or weeds that will compete for moisture and nutrients, and water the seedlings during dry periods for the first few years.