ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District has been providing conservation assistance to agricultural, rural, suburban, and urban constituents since 1945. One of its most popular programs, the district says in a release, is the Annual Spring Tree and Shrub Sale where low-cost trees and shrubs are sold for conservation plantings.

A wide selection of conifer trees, deciduous trees and shrubs, groundcover, and wildflower seed mixes are available. Also available are compost, woodchips, fertilizer tablets, and marking flags.

All the trees and shrubs offered are bare-root and are suitable for planting as Christmas trees, windbreaks, wildlife habitat, erosion control, or for backyard homesteading. Species include, but are not limited to: sugar maple, lilac, Fraser fir, buttonbush, elderberry, and sweet cherry.

This year, the district is also including a pollinator-initiative program; all paid customers will receive 10 Liatris Spicata — also known as Blazing Star — free with their orders.

These plants are a slender perennial that prefer full sun and well-drained soils that have moderate fertility. The plant will grow to 3 to 4 feet in height and has grass-like leaves. It blooms from July to September with blossoms that form from the top down, creating spikes of purple to white tufted flower heads.

These pollinators will attract many bee species as well as a variety of different butterflies to their nectar-rich blooms. And, an array of birds will enjoy feasting on the seeds come autumn.

Anyone may place an order; there is no need to be an Albany County resident. Orders are being accepted until April 3, and pickup will be on April 24 and 25. Order forms are available at the district’s website (www.albanycounty.com/swcd), at the district’s office on Martin Road in Voorheesville, or by request.

Place your orders early to ensure species availability. Any overstock items will be sold at the time of pickup on a first come, first served basis.  

For more information, call 518-765-7923, email , or visit www.albanycounty.com/swcd.