Holmes SWCD tree sale distributes 16,000 seedlings

The Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District’s 2026 Tree Sale came to an end last week with the pickup and delivery of over 16,000 tree seedlings. But did you know we are already beginning to plan for next year’s sale? It takes nearly a year to plan for and run our annual tree sale. Here’s a small glimpse into what we do to prepare.

A successful tree sale begins with the selection of tree seedlings that will benefit and support our local region. In late May we will carefully choose trees that grow well in our soils and climate, along with a few fun varieties. Working with a nursery, we reserve our tree seedlings seven months before our next sale even begins. This ensures we have the best options for our customers.

Once the tree seedlings are ordered, the behind-the-scenes action begins. Order forms are created containing descriptions and pricing information. They are checked and rechecked for accuracy before we add them to our winter newsletter and mail them. This year over 800 order forms were sent out to our mailing list recipients in late December. We also secure a location for tree sorting and pickup.

The tree sale officially opens Jan. 1 of each year, and soon after, orders begin coming in. Every order is checked in and recorded on our master spreadsheet. Quantities are closely monitored, especially when we are running low on certain varieties. Payments are recorded, receipted and double-checked for mathematical and sales tax errors. This continues through the first week in March, when the order window closes. Finally, we tally up all the orders and place a final order with the nursery.

As pickup day approaches, tree-packing volunteers are secured and supplies are ordered. Each year we invite volunteers from local FFA chapters, career center students and other organizations to join us for a day of packing and sorting the seedlings. This year’s volunteers sorted over 1,900 packages of tree seedlings into 192 orders in just two days. Amazing!

One of our greatest joys is working with local organizations that promote the planting of trees here in Holmes County. This year our office is joining Tree City USA in Millersburg to give a free tree seedling to every first-grader at Millersburg Elementary. Our hope is these students will love and care for their seedlings and develop an appreciation for the environment.

Also, the Holmes County Park District, with the help of the Scouters of Holmes County, will plant trees at Legacy Point later in April. These trees will help restore and transform the old county landfill. And Crow Works, maker of American-made commercial furniture in Killbuck, purchased 1,800 trees for their employees. This is part of their “Tree for Every Top” program, which they launched in 2021.

Their goal is to encourage clients and partners to plant a tree in return for every tabletop they sell annually. According to their website, 113,424 saplings have been planted since the program began. We appreciate all you do to make Holmes County a beautiful place.

We have so many people to thank for the success of our 2026 Tree Sale. Mostly, thank you to our amazing customers who support us year after year. Thank you to the staff at Coshocton SWCD, Tuscarawas SWCD, Harvest Ridge and Exclusively Yours Catering. Thank you to the volunteers from the Coshocton County Career Center Natural Resources Program, West Holmes FFA and Triway FFA who packed and sorted orders. We appreciate each and every person who took part in this event.

Please let us know if you, your organization or club would like to be involved in our future tree sale events. We would love to work with you to bring more trees to Holmes County. To join our newsletter/tree mailing list or if you have any questions, call our office at 330-674-2811 ext. 3 or email us at holmes.swcd@gmail.com.

Jody Irwin is administrative coordinator for Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District.