LURAY, Va. — The Virginia Department of Forestry is encouraging residents to plant native trees and shrubs, offering seedlings through its annual online sale.
Native trees and shrubs provide food, shelter and nesting sites for wildlife, including birds and pollinators.
Their roots help hold soil in place and reduce runoff, while a mix of native species can make forests more resilient to pests, diseases and changing weather.
Nearly 70 species of hardwoods, conifers and shrubs suited to Virginia’s climate are available.
Specialty packs also are offered for fall color, streamside buffers, and pollinator and wildlife habitat.
Orders are accepted through late April, with inventory updated hourly at buyvatrees.com.
Supplies are limited, and popular varieties may sell out early.
Virginia orders ship Monday through Wednesday, while out-of-state orders ship Mondays only to avoid weekend storage in trucks.
Seedlings are packed in moisture-resistant boxes lined with plastic, with each species labeled for identification.
Customers may also pick up orders at Augusta Nursery, 90 Forestry Center Lane in Crimora, from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pickup and shipping run from late February through late April, depending on when the ground thaws enough to lift seedlings from nursery beds.