The 37th annual statewide “Tree Planting Week” is Feb. 6-12. Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District, along with other local sponsors, plan to give out free loblolly pine seedlings to the public Arbor Day, Feb. 11, at the USDA Service Center, 110 Northgate, Natchez.

Loblolly pine seedlings will be given out from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a “first come, first served basis,” for as long as they last.

Personnel from Natural Resources Conservation Service, Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, and other sponsoring agencies will be visiting all elementary schools during Tree Planting Week and passing out pine seedlings to all third graders in Adams County.

These seedlings will be hand-wrapped, as a community service, by local school groups and other local organizations. Adams County Soil & Water Conservation District donated Loblolly Pine seedlings for this occasion.

The Adams County Soil & Water Conservation District Auxiliary has announced it will sell ornamental seedlings, at a nominal cost, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

This year, the following species are available: white crape myrtle, red crape myrtle, white dogwood, pink dogwood, red maple, sawtooth oak, bald cypress, crabapple, golden raintree, PG hydrangea, red flowering quince, cherry bark oak and sweet shrub.

This year, we have the following fruit trees for sale: red delicious apple, Elberta peach, moonglow pear and stanley plum. Come early, the supply is limited on fruit trees.

These are “bareroot” seedlings approximately one and one half feet in height; they will be individually labeled and wrapped as purchased. Seedlings will be sold on a “first come, first served, basis;” it is not possible to take special orders or reservations.

The SWCD Auxiliary sale will be in the garage at the USDA Service Center, 110 Northgate Road, Natchez.

Proceeds will be used to support school programs for Conservation Youth Camp, safety day, poster contest and other conservation educational programs.

For more information on Tree Planting Week, contact the Adams County Soil & Water Conservation District (442-1790, ext. 3).

Pat Williams is the district coordinator for the Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District.