THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240220
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY REID BARROW, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 45 lines
This year more than ever, the Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District is targeting its annual tree seedling sale to homeowners, rather than farmers.
Some of the seedlings are ornamentals, and composters and bluebird houses are new additions to the sale this year.
``We're trying to appeal to people with a big yard,'' said District Manager Julie Hillegass.
The polyethylene composters, called Earth Machines, are $75. Small and sturdy, they are easy to manage and not as bulky as some composters.
``It's a nifty little thing,'' Hillegass said.
The bluebird houses, which cost $10, are being constructed by the Chesapeake Bay Youth Conservation Corps and all proceeds go to benefit the corps.
Other sale proceeds go toward the conservation district's educational programs, such as teacher workshops and hands-on workshops for children on water quality.
This year, a popular native shrub, Southern waxmyrtle, is included in the tree sale for the first time. Goldenraintree, an ornamental tree with a creamy-white summer flower, is also one of the seedlings for sale. So are sassafras, dogwood, cypress, persimmon and red bud. These trees come in bundles of five for $10 or 10 for $18.
The district also is selling Virginia and loblolly pines along with VA-70 shrub lespedeza, a shrub that provides wildlife cover and food, in much larger bundles, ranging from 25 for $8 to 100 at $15.
``Even with these,'' Hillegass said, ``a homeowner can go together with a neighbor if they want to buy a lot for a windbreak.''
The 1- to 2-year-old seedlings are all bare-root stock and will be treated with a moisture retention solution. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
HOW TO ORDER
Call Julie Hillegass at 427-4775 to get an order blank. Orders
must be received by Feb. 7.
Seedlings will arrive in March and you will be contacted to pick
them up at the Agriculture Department at the Virginia Beach
Municipal Center.