State of Iowa to compete with area nurseries

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources proposed a rule change allowing it to sell nursery stock “to private landowners and public agencies to encourage the establishment of wildlife habitat and erosion control plantings and to promote forestry.”

The Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association is asking members to contact legislators to prevent the rule change. The proposal requires plants be less than 4 years old and bare root. Another stipulation: “Only those species in accepted use for wildlife habitat, erosion control and forestry plantings shall be sold for use on private land.”

The proposal sets prices for the nursery stock. Oak, hickory, walnut, pecan and basswood: 6-inch to 16-inch sell for $40 per hundred; and 17-inch to 30-inch sell for $45 per hundred. Other hardwoods from 6-inch to 16-inch sell for $37 per hundred; 17-inch to 30-inch for $42; larger than 30-inch for $25 per bundle of 25 plants.

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For more: Kevin Kelly, INLA, (515) 279-2185; www.iowanla.org.

March 2008