A number of tree seedlings are being offered by the Shand Greenhouse.
All of the seedlings come from SaskPower’s Shand Greenhouse near Estevan. It uses some of waste heat from the Shand Power Station to grow tree and shrub seedlings. More than 10 million shrubs and trees have been cultivated there since 1992.
Heather Johnson, spokesperson for SaskPower, said people who plant the seedlings can expect a very large tree up to be about 12 metres tall.
“They’re good for wide open spaces. Definitely, as we always note, plant the right tree in the right space — so not near power lines. These guys are very big.”
Each year SaskPower Shand Greenhouse produces hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings to distribute throughout Saskatchewan in support of education, conservation and habitat enhancement efforts. Producing and distributing seedlings is one important way in which SaskPower fulfills their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Applications will be accepted from July 1. 2016 to March 15, 2017 on a first-come, first-served basis.
All shelterbelt, wildlife habitat and reclamation projects that will be planted on land holdings no less than 4.04 ha (10 acres) are eligible, provided seedlings are not for profit or gain, seedlings are not intended for yard or commercial landscaping purposes and projects are environmentally sound.
Shand Greenhouse provides tree and shrub species to eligible groups to assist in the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions; land conservation, shelterbelts, land reclamation, phytoremediation, parks, community enhancement and the creation of new habitat for wildlife.
Promotional events that expand the awareness and understanding of the importance of trees to the environment and display the Shand Greenhouse educational/promotional materials; species will be restricted and determined by Shand Greenhouse.
There is a tree and shrub planting guide available on the SaskPower Shand Greenhouse website, where residents can get information on suitable planting tips for common Saskatchewan trees, based on their average heights and ideal growing conditions.
Residents are reminded to watch for power lines when planning to plant trees.
