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Gravel Growers

Every Fall, we give away over 100 tree and shrub saplings that have been growing in the gravel beds outside our office for YOU tp plant! Planting trees on your property provides a full range of ecosystem services, and are an excellent way to minimize stormwater runoff.

What is a Gravel Grower?

Our gravel growers are young trees and shrubs that are being temporarily housed in gravel beds so that their roots can grow dense and hardy. While in a gravel bed, a sapling will grow at it's normal rate above ground, but below ground will form a fibrous root system that will give it an advantage when it's eventually planted in the ground. Our tree and shrub saplings go into our gravel beds in the spring and spend the summer growing their roots before finally moving to to their new home in the yards of members of the community in the fall. 
Learn more about gravel beds.

Trees

The Watershed District will provide saplings to residents interested in having them planted on their property. Planting trees on your property provides a full range of ecosystem services, and are an excellent way to minimize stormwater runoff. The leaves of the tree, or canopy, provide surface area for rainwater to land and be absorbed as well as slow down rain as it falls. The roots of a tree not only take in water but also create healthy soil conditions which promote better infiltration. Trees also help control erosion and runoff along our lakes and creeks by using their roots to stabilize slopes and capturing nutrients before they can reach our waterways.
Learn more about the benefit of trees.

Want to take home a sapling?

2023 trees have all been claimed - stay tuned for another chance to take home a tree in 2024!

Our Gravel Growers

 

Red-Osier Dogwood - SOLD OUT

A favorite of landscapers and gardeners, the Red-Osier Dogwood is known for its bright red stems which provide of pop of color year-round. A very hardy shrub, it can tolerate clay soils, wet soils, occasional drought, and shade - making it effective erosion control along streambanks. The Red-Osier Dogwood is considered a large shrub, growing quickly to heights of 7-9 feet and spreading slowly outward up to 10 feet.

Learn more

Red Splendor Crabapple

A medium hardwood tree, Crabapple trees grow up to 25 feet with a spread of around 20 feet. Crabapples bloom in the spring, bearing flowers. They can grow in a variety of different site conditions such as valleys and lower slopes, borders of forests, fence rows, fields, and along streams in prairies. They needs moist, well-drained slightly acidic soils, and thrive in full sun.

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Bur Oak - SOLD OUT

Bur oak is the most common oak tree in Minnesota, and can grow to heights of 60-80 feet. Bur oaks can be found growing on dry uplands on limestone and gravelly ridges, sandy plains, and loamy slopes. They can also be found growing in moist flood plains of streams. They are tolerant of drought conditions and occasional flooding, and prefer full sun.

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American Plum - SOLD OUT

The American plum is a small, deciduous single or multi-stemmed hardwood tree or small shrub. It quickly grows to be 15-25 feet tall and equally wide. They prefer well-drained moist soils but can also tolerate alkaline, acidic, and clay soils. They also tolerate dry sites, salt spray, poor drainage, wet sites, and drought, and can typically be found growing along roadsides, fields, and fence rows. American plums prefer full sun to partial shade.

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White Pine - SOLD OUT

A great choice for lawns and parks, this conifer can reach heights of 80 - 100 feet and up to 42 feet in diameter. They have straight trunks and pyramidal shapes with soft gray-green foliage and 4" to 8" long cones that mature at end of the second season. White Pines prefer acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun, though will tolerate partial shade.

Learn more