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SOIL & WATER
ADVOCATE
Delaware County
Winter 2020-2021 December 31, 2020
In This Issue
Char-Marie Farm Adapts to Changes
Walton Resident Allies with Trees
A New Approach to an Old Practice
New Tools to Increase Tree Survival in Riparian Buffers
Stream Program Builds on 20-Year His-tory with “Takeoff” into the Future
Tree and Shrub info and order form
A Message from Larry Underwood, Executive Director
Dear Readers,
What a year it has been! For months, the Covid-19 Pandemic has influenced, challenged, strained and changed the way we live, work and socialize. The intent of this edition of the Soil & Water Advocate is not to focus on the pandemic, but to show how we, as an organization, adapted to and overcame the many hurdles set before us. I’m optimistic that 2021 will be our transition back to a sense of normalcy.
After much consideration, we moved forward with our 2020 tree and shrub sales program by developing an innovative and limited “curbside conservation delivery” plan to put over 200 pre-paid orders in the hands of customers. Our staff worked tirelessly and safely to custom-package orders, contact customers, develop schedules and get those orders delivered as quickly as possible. All things considered, the program was a huge success, with staff greeted from a distance by smiling customers anxious to get outside and plant something! As you will see on pages 8-11, our 2021 program offerings are looking better than ever, so don’t hesitate to place your order. Our plan is to provide a safe, scheduled, curbside pickup on April 10.
Speaking of innovation, you will read about new technology and practices that we are utilizing, or working with our conservation partners to further develop, such as liquid manure injection, riparian buffer establishment techniques, as well as aerial survey and imagery.
This year will mark our 75th anniversary serving Delaware County as the lead technical agency for the planning, management and implementation of all non-point source water quality programs. Formed by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors on November 18, 1946, it gives us a great sense of pride when we take stock of our accomplishments over three quarters of a century! We want to thank the employees and directors that came before us who shared the commitment and dedication to conservation work in Delaware County that we hold to the same high standard today and will for generations to come.
You may have already noticed our new Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District logo within the pages of this newsletter. The design was developed here in our office by our own staff! The familiar Delaware County logo has served us well and will continue to do so.
On a final note, I want to thank our staff and Board of Directors for their hard work and dedication to the many conservation programs we oversee and for delivering the best and most professional service possible. We appreciate, too, our readers and the supporters of Soil & Water, as well as the many farmers and landowners that work with us to protect our beautiful county.
I wish all of you a healthy, prosperous and happy new year in 2021!
Sincerely,
Larry Underwood
1946—2021 75 YEARS OF
CONTINUOUS
CONSERVATION
PROGRESS
Delaware County SWCD
Directors
Frank Bachler, Chair
Member-at-Large Representative
Town of Meredith
Bruce Dolph, Vice-Chair
New York State Grange Representative
Town of Walton
Jim Ellis, Supervisor Representative
Town of Meredith
Jeff Taggart, Supervisor Representative
Town of Franklin
Andy Kiraly, Farm Bureau Representative
Town of Franklin
Jerry Fraine, Member-at-Large Representative
Town of Meredith
Staff
Larry Underwood —Executive Director
Peggy Pilch —Secretary/Treasurer
Sandra Whittaker —Data and Budget Specialist
Judith Spencer —Administrative Assistant, Editor
Rick Weidenbach —Ass’t to the Executive Director
Larry Day —Soil and Groundwater Specialist
Susquehanna Watershed Program
Kyle Buel —Technician
Jay Czerniak —Technician
Joe LaCourt —Technician
Jessica Moore —Technician Trainee
Brian Danforth —Civil Engineering Technician
NYC Watershed Agricultural Program
Gideon Frisbee —Technical Coordinator
Chris Savage —Civil Engineering Technician
Paula O’Brien —Technician
David Adams —Technician/ E.I.T.
David Andros —Technician
Nora Mosher —Technician
Justine McNeilly —Technician
Rick Neuman —Planner
Brian Caruso —Systems Manager
Stream Corridor Management Program
Graydon Dutcher —Program Coordinator
Ben Dates —Project Engineer
Gale Neale —Engineer
Jessica Patterson —Technician
Jeff Russell —Technician
Mike Coryat —Technician
Jay Dinga —Data and Budget Specialist
Catherine Skalda —CSBI Coordinator
PARTNERING AGENCIES
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Dave Mortensen —ASTC - FO
Dennis DeWeese —Acting Watershed Coordinator
Tony Capraro —District Conservationist
Quentin Gahan —Area Resource Conservationist
Suzanne Baker —Resource Conservationist
Brandon Dennis —Resource Conservationist
Dan Flaherty —Resource Conservationist
Evan Sweeney —Soil Conservationist
Andrew Grabo —Program Support Specialist
Sam Ly —Project Engineer
Paula Bagley —State Engineer
Leanne Nabinger —Civil/Agricultural Engineer
Bonnie Pannebaker —Administrative Mgmt Specialist
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Dale Dewing —CCE Team Leader
Paul Cerosaletti —Senior Resource Educator
Rich Toebe —WAP Dairy/Livestock Educator
Kim Holden —Administrative Assistant
April Wright-Lucas —Feed Management Planner
Jim Romack —Feed Management Planner
Ben Hepler —Nut. Mgmt Community Educator
Watershed Agricultural Council
Larry Hulle —Agricultural Program Manager
Brian LaTourette —Program Operations Coordinator
Nate Townsend —Whole Farm Planning Coordinator
John Jackson —Database Manager
Kristan Morley —Economic Viability Manager
Heather Magnan —Communications Director
Vacant —GIS Coordinator
Sara Bolton —Pure Catskills Specialist
Jimmy Sietsma —Database/GIS Specialist
Elaine Poulin —WAP Procurement/Contract Officer
Lorinda Pierce —Executive Assistant
Jackie VanLoan —Executive Assistant
Brittany Hall —Admin. Ass’t to Procurement & PFM
Nate Whittaker —Engineering Specialist
Scott Boyce —Engineering Specialist
Rick Hochuli —Engineering Specialist
Rob Orleski —Engineering Specialist
Ben Green —Engineering Specialist
Steve Steenland —Engineering Specialist
Pete Steenland —Technician/Engineering Coordinator
Tim Hebbard —WIRC Specialist
Cindy McCarthy —Nutrient Mgmt/PFM Coordinator
Nate Nero —Nutrient Management Specialist
Brent McKeon —Nutrient Management Specialist
Kari Sheridan —Nutrient Management Specialist
Troy Bookhout —Conservation Planner
Dan Deysenroth —Conservation Planner
Dan Vredenburgh —Conservation Planner
Dan Gehl —Conservation Planner
Ben Hendee —Conservation Planner
Shylabeth Taylor —Precision Feed Mgmt Specialist
Vera Neroni —CREP/CSBI Planner
Alison Heaney —CREP Technician
Tristin Tait —CREP Technician
All programs and services of the Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.
2
3
The Haynes family, long time members of the New York City Watershed Agricultural Program (WAP), worked with Delaware County SWCD staff in 2019 to design a concrete waste storage facility that would allow for the collection and storage of
manure from the heifer barn. The manure needed to be cleaned from this barn every day and spread on crop fields regardless of field and weather conditions. The farm follows a nutrient management plan, which provides guidelines and field options to minimize environmental risk for each day they need to spread. The plan takes into account the distance from fields to a watercourse as well the levels of nutrients already in the soil and provides “safe” fields to spread on in case of saturated soil conditions, frozen or snow-covered ground, or imminent high precipitation events. Safe storage of manure during these conditions is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of runoff or loss of nutrients toward achieving water quality protection.
Construction began on the project in May of 2020 and was completed in early October. Over 240 cubic yards of concrete were poured to create the 40’ X 60’ x 14’ deep waste storage facility, allowing for the safe storage of 240,000 gallons of manure, the amount produced by 100 animal units in 6 months. Manure can be scraped directly from the barn to the storage, then spread in the late spring just prior to planting a crop such as corn; nutrients will be readily available for the new plants. The manure can also be applied to grass hay fields just after harvest when new growth can utilize nutrients to produce high quality feed for livestock. This application also may reduce the need for the purchase of commercial fertilizer – both cost-effective and a reduction in the nutrients being imported to the landscape.
The DCSWCD is proud to work with producers across Delaware County to protect the natural resources of this area. We appreci-ate the conservation efforts of the Haynes family and so many others who are involved in the programs we offer, and we look forward to many more successful projects in the years ahead.
During construction—pouring the concrete floor.
Char-Marie Farm Adapts to Changes
T his year has brought countless changes for all of us, and there’s been abundant change at Char Marie Farm, LLC,
in Bloomville, as well. The farm owners sold their milking cows in May and are transitioning to raising dairy
heifers and beef, utilizing their existing facilities and cropland to keep the farm productive. While the change in
operation is drastic, resource concerns related to raising livestock still remain.
This concrete pad will make it easier to load manure
from the storage into application equipment.
4
O riginally from Westchester County, Richard purchased property in the Town of
Walton in 2001; his son Scott relates, “we knew from the moment we saw it that
it essentially ‘checked all of the boxes’.” During the early construction of his new
home, Richard’s vision was to refurbish this new landscape, as the only drawback –
from their perspective – was the lack privacy and buffer from the 2,000 feet of road front-
age. Cold, blustery winds would sweep the hillside, increasing the heating costs of the
family’s new home. It seemed logical for Richard to buffer his property with the protec-
tions that trees offer. In 2002, the two began a tradition of planting trees each spring.
Earlier this year, Richard invited our staff to visit his property so he could show us these
successful plantings. Talking with Richard and Scott, it was obvious how passionate
they are about these thriving trees whose growth has justified the hard work put into
them. A “safari” style tour in Richard’s Kubota across his hundred acres was the perfect
way for us to view the plantings.
The Hirschmugls use a spreadsheet to track the quantities of each species they plant. Along with their bookkeeping system, they
maintain an impressive photo album of the progress on their property during the past eighteen years.
Since 2002, Richard and Scott have put more than 1,600 trees and shrubs into the ground, using a single, well-worn planting bar
which still hangs on the garage wall. In this impressive feat of conservation, the father and son have missed only two spring plantings
in those eighteen years. Since Norway Spruce provide a nice barrier for privacy and wind, Richard and Scott have 450, their most
widely-planted species. They also have a substantial number of American Larch and a variety of willows.
“Our relationship with DCSWCD has felt more like a partnership over the years, rather than just transactional,” wrote Scott in an
enthusiastic email to the Program. While they have been extremely happy with the trees themselves – which they estimate at a 90%
WALTON RESIDENT ALLIES WITH TREES
T he DCSWCD Tree and Shrub Program
has been immensely popular for nearly
forty years. It’s an economical way for
the public to source a handful of trees for small
scale landscaping projects or to purchase
enough stock to establish orchards and berry or
Christmas tree farms.
Some homeowners, like Richard Hirschmugl,
are inclined to drastically transform their
landscape.
Richard, one of our regular tree program
enthusiasts, has successfully accomplished
just that, and he couldn’t be happier with the
results.
5
success rate – the Hirschmugls have been equally impressed by the District’s guidance on what, when and how to plant. Though
they have been planting for 18 years, every April when they pick up their order they are still amazed at the substantial root system
of the 2-2 evergreens. The DCSWCD has helped them check that final box and make this the perfect property for them.
Richard noted that he’s seen an increase in wildlife such as grouse, rabbits, deer, and a
variety of other birds as the plantings have matured and expanded. Riparian corridors
such as these rows of spruce not only provide good habitat
for wildlife; they also restore connectivity between wildlife
habitats so that animals can more easily access food, cover,
and water resources. In addition to wildlife benefits, trees
can assist landowners with land management issues such
as soil erosion, wind and snow management, floodwater
protection, biological pest control, and other concerns.
These long-lived, woody life forms have the ability to
preserve, heal, protect, and beautify our landscapes.
Richard and his son intend to continue planting for years to
come. Our Soil and Water District appreciates their efforts,
along with the hundreds of other customers who have
purchased and planted our conservation trees and shrubs. It’s gratifying to see their deep
-rooted and continuing interest in the simple act of planting.
The photo on the left shows one of Richard’s fields in 2002 prior to planting; on the right is the same field in the fall of 2020. Norway Spruce can grow more than four feet in a good year and can reach as much as 80 feet in height in their lifetime.
“Our relationship
with the DCSWCD
has felt more like
a partnership
over the years,
rather than just
transactional …”
Scott Hirschmugl
Do you have a stream running through your property? Streams are their best when the riparian area, or land next to the stream, is forested. The NYS DEC’s “Trees for Tributaries” Program provides landowners with native trees and shrubs at no cost to reforest these streamside areas. If the riparian area is not vegetated, or if the vegetation is of poor quality, stream stability is vulnerable. The vegetation, or riparian buffer, slows flood waters and reduces bed and bank erosion. Shaded streams are cooler and the higher oxygen content provides a more habitable area for invertebrates and fish. Riparian buffers filter out nutrients from storm water, protecting waterways from pollution. The diverse, shaded area provides a refuge and corridor for terrestrial animals. Pollinators and migratory birds are attracted to these areas as well. Additionally, buffers enhance aesthetic and economic value of our properties and may create privacy screens or hunting ground.
The Upper Susquehanna Coalition and Delaware County SWCD are here to help you plan and plant your buffer. Any private or public site with a stream on it can qualify for this program.
To learn more, contact Joe LaCourt ([email protected]) or Jessica Moore ([email protected]) at the Delaware County SWCD or call (607) 865-7161.
Trees for Tributaries Program: An Opportunity to Reforest Your Streamside Areas
L to R: Richard and Scott Hirschmugl and SWCD staff, Joe LaCourt and Jessica Moore
6
O ur partners, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County (CCE) and the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC),
facilitated the demonstration of some “new-to-us” manure injection equipment this summer. The system is a 6300 gallon
Houle tank spreader with a 15’ shallow disc injection system. The injection system allows liquid manure to be “spread”
directly into the ground instead of being broadcast in a layer over the surface. On the technical side, less nitrogen is lost to ammoni-
um gas formation when nutrients are incorporated into the soil rather than being distributed just on the surface, providing more
available nitrogen for crop uptake. This, in turn, decreases the potential need
for additional commercial fertilizer applications to meet crop nutrient require-
ments. Phosphorus injected below the surface also reduces the risk of its runoff
to nearby streams. Another benefit of this technology which was noted quickly
is the reduced odor compared to
traditional broadcast spreading.
The value of improved aesthetics
in this area of mixed agricultural
and residential properties is a
definite plus.
Effective and safe manure
management is a top priority in Delaware County, not only as we work to protect the
unfiltered drinking water source of the New York City Watershed system, but also in
the management of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) of nutrients in the Susque-
hanna section of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The water quality of the Delaware
River system below the New York City Watershed dams continues to increase in
importance as well. Farmers from both the New York City and Susquehanna water-
sheds, as well as agency board members and staff, watched the demonstration unit in
operation at the Hanselmans’ farm in South Kortright, while maintaining adherence to
current COVID protocols and guidelines.
The injection unit has been used across multiple field and farm settings this fall.
Partnering agencies are gathering as much knowledge and experience as possible as
we look toward potential funding opportunities to add this technology as a valuable
resource for our Delaware County farmers.
A New Approach to an Old Practice
This field shows little evidence of having just been spread with manure.
7
New Tools to Increase Tree Survival in Riparian Buffers
F or the past three years, the Delaware County SWCD has received funding from the Upper Susquehanna Coalition (USC) to hire seasonal Riparian Buffer Stewards. Stewards are tasked with performing evaluation and establishment activities on
planted riparian forest buffers in the Upper Susquehanna watershed.
As a result of their analyses, we discovered that planted species had a much lower overall survival rate than we had anticipated. The most common cause of high mortality was competition with surrounding weeds and grasses.
Under natural conditions, herbaceous vegetation plays an important role in the riparian buffer system by preventing erosion, filtering out harmful
pollutants, and providing habitat. Unfortunately, this vegetation can also compete for resources with newly planted trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are a critical component in a healthy streamside riparian forest buffer. Trees protect water quality by filtering and taking up nutrients from cropland and pasture runoff. They also improve habitat by creating shade that regu-lates water temperatures. Leaf litter from large trees provides food for macroinver-tebrates in the stream. These small organisms are used to evaluate stream health and are an important food source for a variety of fish species.
In the past, we have relied on thin, plastic brush mats to help control the growth of weeds around our plants. These mats have proven to be ineffective in our large plantings and are not a long-term solution. They can also unintentionally provide shelter for small rodents that can damage trees. For smaller, homeowner plantings that can be monitored regularly, however, the brush mats can be a worthwhile tool.
This spring, we worked with a licensed herbicide applicator to complete herbicide spraying on ten new riparian forest buffers. Minimal spraying around the base of the tree tubes can result in tree survival rates of over 90%, compared to an average of less than 20% in overgrown areas. Investing in this short-term management practice increases tree cover that will benefit these riparian areas and protect water quality for years to come.
Once trees become established and grow tall enough, herbicide spraying will no longer be needed to maintain weeds. Our goal is to continue herbicide applications in these buffers over the next two years with the intention of increasing tree survivability and establishing a functioning, diverse riparian area.
Brush mats are barely visible in the overgrowth.
Minimal spraying around tree tubes will
reduce weed competition and rodent damage.
Brush mats over this large acreage would be difficult to monitor.
8
TREE SHELTERS: Shelters protect and foster young trees in the first crucial years of development. Shelters include a 5’ hardwood stake and zip ties. Benefits include:
Protection against deer and animal browse
Minimize wind damage to branches and foliage
Reduction of drought stress through moisture
retention
Ventilation allows plants to acclimate to dynamic
conditions
INSURING PLANT SURVIVAL: For optimum survival, trees and shrubs should be planted immediately, but bundles may be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a week. Bundles should not be immersed in water. Once planted, they should be watered and monitored regularly.
PLANT MORTALITY: The Delaware County SWCD is not re-sponsible for the success or failure of plantings. We cannot check a planting location or guard against improper handling or storage, pests, or weather-related problems. We protect and maintain the healthy condition of plants in our care and are not responsible for refunding or replacing plants.
DATES AND DEADLINES: Place your order by Monday, March 8. Pickup is Saturday, April 10. No refunds can be made for plants not picked up.
PAYMENT: Payment must be enclosed with order form. We are unable to accept credit or debit cards; make checks out to DCSWCD. Please do not send cash through the mail.
BAREROOT STOCK: Our trees and shrubs are bareroot, with no soil attached to the roots. They are dipped in a gel, then packaged in damp shavings and heavy kraft paper to preserve moisture.
PLANT SIZE: Actual tree heights may vary slightly from those shown on the order form. Most orders may be easily transported in an average car.
PLANT AGE: The first number in the age indicates the number of years of growth in a seedbed; the second shows the years in a transplant bed. For example, 2-2 indicates a four-year old tree with 2 years in a seedbed and 2 in a transplant bed. Though trans-plants are more developed, seedlings are easy to transport and plant, and economically sensible.
PLANTING TOOLS: Steel planting bars are 39” long with a footstep and blade “spike.” The bars easily penetrate difficult and rocky soil cleanly; they work great for quickly planting bareroot stock. See photo on page 4.
Twenty-five 10-inch,
3-year-old seedlings
Ten 16-inch, 4-year-old
transplants
D ecember 6 marked twenty years of service to Delaware County by the DCSWCD Stream Corridor Management Program (SCMP), whose partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is based in the Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD). The development of Stream Management Plans for the West and East Branch of the
Delaware River and its tributaries protect the quality of the City’s drinking water supply in the Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs.
The SCMP, a model for programs statewide, has grown dramatically over the years and now offers exciting new ways to monitor, assess and remediate stream issues. The most recent technology utilizes aerial survey with a DJI Matrice 210 RTK with a GPS Base Station, also known as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Licensed FAA 107 pilots Jeff Russell and Graydon Dutcher will captain the UAS for topographic surveys, aerial imagery, assessments and monitoring. The unit features a flight time of thirty minutes, autonomous flight of a pre-programmed grid pattern, 360° collision avoidance and can carry an eighteen-pound payload.
This advanced technology will assist in the development of potential stream projects and in annual post construction inspection and monitoring.
Congratulations to the SCMP on 20 years of innovation and service to Delaware County!
Stream Program Builds on 20-Year History with “Takeoff” into the Future
This 3-D image is from a UAS flight over the Water Street Floodplain Reclamation project in Walton. In the foreground is the boat launch to the river; at the top is the back of Family Dollar.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO DCSWCD
ORDER EARLY AS QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED!!
Name EmailPlease print clearly Please print clearly
Mailing Address
Daytime phone Cell
Call
607-865-7161
for more information
PICKUP
SATURDAY
APRIL 10
AT THE
SWCD OFFICE
IN WALTON
PREPAID
ORDERS DUE
MONDAY
MARCH 8
9
To tal Number
10 20 50 100 o f S tems
White Spruce 2-2 15-24" $22 $40 $88 $150
Norway Spruce 2-2 15-24" $22 $40 $88 $150
Fraser Fir 3-2 10-18" $26 $46 $102 $174
White Spruce 3-0 9-15" $10 $16 $35 $60
Norway Spruce 3-0 9-15" $10 $16 $35 $60
Red Pine* 3-0 8-14" $10 $16 $35 $60
European Larch 2-0 10-20" $16 $28 $62 $102
Sugar Maple 2-0 18-24" $24 $42 $92 $158
Tulip Tree* 2-0 18-24" $15 $26 $56 $98
Bur Oak* 2-0 18-24" $14 $25 $55 $94
River Birch 2-0 18-24" $15 $26 $60 $102
Sycamore* 2-0 18-24" $15 $26 $56 $98
Black Chokeberry 2-0 10-20" $15 $26 $60 $102
Elderberry 2-0 18-24" $15 $28 $60 $102
American Hazelnut 2-0 18-24" $16 $28 $62 $105
Common Ninebark* 2-0 18-24" $14 $25 $55 $94
Nova Spy Apple* 2-0 4-6'
Golden Russet Bosc Pear* 2-0 4-6'
Sunrise Pear* 2-0 4-6'
Reliance Peach* 2-0 4-6'
Blueray Blueberry 2-0 12-18"
Rubel Blueberry* 2-0 12-18"
TOTAL ORDER $++Age: First number is years in a seedbed; second is years in a transplant bed.
TOTAL COSTPric e fo r bund les o f:
Spec ies ( *New ) ++Age S iz e
5' Tubex Combitube Tree Shelter w/5' Stake $8 each or $65/10
Fertilizer Tablets (10 gram, 20-10-5)
Planting Bars
SUPP
LIES
CONIFER
SS EEDLINGS
TRANSPLANTS
$25 for 5 plants
10¢ each or $85/box of 1000
$25 for 5 plants
$20 EACH tree
$20 EACH tree
$20 EACH tree
$45 each
$20 EACH tree
FRUIT C
ROPS
SHRU
BSHAR
DW
OODS
3' X 3' Weed Control Mats with Pins $1.75 each or $150/100
10
White Spruce
Christmas trees, windbreak
Slow to moderate growth to 100’
Compact, regular branching
Short, green needles
Significant food/nesting source for wildlife
Attracts butterflies
Low deer browse
Native to New York
Well-drained soil to seasonal wetness
Sugar Maple
Maple syrup, valuable timber
Handsome shade tree
Grows 90-100’
In decline across the Northeast due to acid rain
Blaze of red, orange and yellow fall colors
Important to wildlife
Of special value to honey bees
Intolerant of pollution and salt
Native to New York
Deep, well-drained soil
Norway Spruce
Windbreaks, screenings, lumber, wildlife habitat
Moderate growth to 80’
Large, showy cones
Branches droop with maturity
Good roosting home for hawks and owls
Easy to grow; fastest growing of the spruces
Grows best in full sun
Well-drained soil to seasonal wetness
Tulip Tree New Large, showy, native tree
with tulip shaped flowers
Grows to 90’ one of the tallest eastern hardwoods
Once bountiful in eastern US, highly sought after for valuable timber
Vibrant yellow leaves in autumn
Nectar attracts humming-birds, seeds feed finches, cardinals, mammals
Intolerant of salt spray and drought, favors well-drained acid soils
Bur Oak New
Very large, native, lives 200-300 years
Up to 80’, wide-spread, sometimes crooked crown
Good for shade, ornament, shelterbelts
Leaves yellow to brown in the fall
Large, annual acorns with fringed caps favored by deer, wood ducks, turkeys
Nesting habitat for red-tailed hawks, screech owls, flying squirrels
Prefers well-drained soils, but tolerates many ranges
Fraser Fir
Very popular Christmas tree species
Reaches height of 80’
Pointed crown of silvery white aromatic foliage
Dark blue-green needles
Pleasant scent Intermediate in shade
tolerance
Softwood used for pulpwood, crates, and frame construction
Prefers slightly acidic rocky to sandy soils
River Birch
Medium, shrubby, often multi-stemmed, native
40-70’, well-formed oval crown, rapid growth
Cinnamon colored bark curls and peels, leaves are yellow in the fall
Great for streambank erosion control, easily established for general landscaping
Attracts mammals, songbirds
Tolerates wetness, acidity, some drought, prefers full sun
Red Pine New
Large, long-lived conifer
Fast growing to 70-80’
Handsome, tall and straight trunk, red bark
Provides cover for many birds and mammals
Great for windbreaks, privacy screens, snowdrift control
Prefers drier, well-drained upland soils
Intolerant of shade Commercially valuable for
timber and pulp
European Larch New Large deciduous conifer, Up to 70’, rapid early
growth, spreading branches, vase-shaped canopy
Needles bright green in spring; golden orange before dropping in fall
Good for shelterbelts, ornamental
Susceptible to deer browse
Rot resistant wood for flooring, posts, poles
Prefers full sun, grows well in moist, deep soil
Sycamore New
Massive native, enlarged base, broad open crown
Whitish, mottled bark, natural peeling looks like camouflage
Large maple-like leaves for shade, brown in fall
Grows to 80-100’, fairly rapid growth
Unique, 1” ball-like seed heads hang from stalks
Food for purple finch, chickadees; nest habitat for owls and wood ducks
Ideal for wet areas
Relatively weak limbs, prone to damage
11
Elderberry
Vigorous, native shrub Grows to 6’-12’ tall,
5-10’ wide; fast-growing
Used in streamside buffers
Extremely winter hardy
Great habitat and food source for wildlife
Vitamin C rich fruit used in wine, jam and syrup
Dark berries ripen in late summer; easy to harvest
Hollow stems useful for hobby carving
Prefers moist, well-drained soil
Black Chokeberry Erect, spreading shrub,
very cold hardy Grows 3-6’ tall, 2-6’ wide White flowers in spring,
dark green, glossy leaves in summer, crimson red fall foliage
Nectar attracts bees, birds, butterflies, berries good for mammals
Edible berries for pies, teas, jams, syrups; many claimed health benefits
Grows in low, wet areas, prefers acidic soil
Can be pruned as a hedge
Golden Russet Bosc Pear New
Vigorous European pear
Russet brown skin, dense, yellowish white flesh
Classic Bosc shape, long, elegant neck
Sweet, classic flavor with undertones of honey
Good for baking or eating fresh
Requires other varieties of pear nearby for pollina-tion
Harvest mid to late September
4-7 years to production
Sunrise Pear New
Hardy European pear
Yellow fruit with slight reddish blush and little russeting
Impressive resistance to fire blight
Sweet, aromatic and juicy fruit
Good for desserts
Keeps well with proper refrigeration
Needs other varieties of pear nearby for pollination
4-6 years to production
Harvest mid to late August
Grows to 20’
American Hazelnut
Rugged, native, nut-bearing shrub
Grows 10’ high, 12’ wide
Extremely cold hardy
Yellow and red fall colors
Tasty nuts for eating, roasting, and oil-pressing
Wood, shells and husks have numerous uses
Food source for many varieties of wildlife
Easy to grow; drought, flood, and acid tolerant
Grows in various soils
Reliance Peach New
Cold hardy, good for northern climates
Can produce heavy crop even after frigid winters
Medium sized fruit; red blushed yellowish skin, soft, yellow, juicy flesh
Sweet, mild flavor; good in baking, canning, freezing
Vigorous, fast growing, need annual pruning to remain strong and healthy
Self-pollinating
2-4 years to production Harvest early August
Grows to 12-15’
Common Ninebark
Cold hardy, resilient landscaping shrub
Grows to 8’ tall, 4-6’ W
Easy to grow in wide range of soils, climates
Full sun or partial shade
Upright spreading form, good for hedges, screens, erosion control
New canes annually
Showy white/pink flower
Bark exfoliates to papery strips
Nectar for pollinators, seeds for birds
Blueray Blueberry
Heavy production High quality, large, sweet,
powder blueberries
Rosy pink blooms in spring
Good pollinator for other varieties
Reaches 4-5’ at maturity Berries ripen in July
Scarlet foliage in the fall
Good for informal hedges
Self-pollinating, but yields better crop with nearby alternate variety
Nova Spy Apple New
Improved cultivar of the Northern Spy
Resistant to fire blight, scab and mildew
Large fruit, sweet vanilla flavor; crisp, juicy flesh
Fruit stores well, retains high quality
Fresh eating, pies, cider
Semi-dwarf, up to 25’
Needs nearby apple trees for pollination
3-5 years to production
Harvest in mid-October
Rubel Blueberry New
A favorite since the early 1900s
Smaller berries perfect for pies, pancakes, muffins
Cold hardy, consistent producer
Very sweet, robust flavor Grows 4-6’ at maturity
Berries ripen late July to early August, contain two times the antioxidants of other varieties
Bright fire-red fall foliage Self-pollinating, but yields
better crop with nearby alternate variety
Call 607-865-7161
for more information.
Pickup Saturday,
April 18
at the SWCD office
in Walton.
Prepaid orders due
March 16
Delaware County SWCD
44 West Street, Suite 1
Walton, New York 13856
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #197
BINGHAMTON, NY
European
Larch
Nova Spy
Apple
Check out our new varieties!
Orders
due
Monday
March 8
Pickup
Saturday
April 10
Call
607-865-7161
for more
information.
Thank you for your patience as we resume pickup at our office this year.
To protect our customers, staff will observe all COVID recommendations in place at that time.
We regret that we are unable to offer overstock, but look forward to its return next year.
Red Pine
Tulip Tree
Bur Oak
Golden Russet
Bosc Pear
Reliance
Peach
Rubel
Blueberry
Sunrise Pear
European
Larch
Nova Spy
Apple
