NYSDEC 2023 Seedling Sale - The NoNo's on their list!
This is the link for all the information you need to order:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/treenurserybrochure.pdf
This is the 2022 catalog, it has the full information on all the seedlings offered in 2023.
nurserycatalog
.pdf
Download PDF • 3.81MB
The 2023 Seedling Sale is a great way to acquire native trees and shrubs but unfortunately, some of the trees and shrubs they are selling are nowhere near being native to even North America. Just because it's the New York State DEC, doesn't mean it's going to be a native plant. They are just one of the responsible parties for some of the invasive plant issues we have here on Long Island. I created this list to help you navigate the good and bad, read on for helpful information when picking your plants. The above link is the catalog for the sale.
The ones to stay away from during the DEC 2023 sale:
Malus pumila - Paradise Apple - native to Eurasia
Sorbus aucuparia - European Mountain Ash - native to, you guessed it, Europe and West Asia
Populus deltoides x Populus sp. - Poplar Hybrid - Hybrid cultivar, most likely hybridized with European or Asian Poplar species. If it can't be narrowed down...step away!
Wildlife Habitat Shrubs/Small Trees:
Amelanchier sp. - Serviceberry. This is very confusing, especially for newbies. There are at least 10 different Serviceberries native to North America! Why can't they narrow this down or is it a hybrid? We just do not know.
Viburnum opulus - European Highbush Cranberry - on the invasive list, from Eurasia! Unless it says, Viburnum opulus var. americanum (and it doesn't), this is not our American native.
Rosa rugosa - Rugosa Rose invasive!!!! Do NOT plant this!!!!! It even says in its description it cannot be sold in NYC, Long Island, and Albany Pine Bush areas! Why is this on their list and why are they selling it at all!!!!! They should be ashamed for promoting it. We have a native rose for every situation. The best choices are Rosa virginiana, Rosa palustris, or Rosa Carolina
Picture: Rosa carolina (KMS Native Plants)
Salix purpurea ‘Streamco’ - Streamco Purpleosier - This is a male hybrid cultivar of Salix purpurea native to Eurasia. Plant Salix discolor - Pussy Willow, Salix humilis var. humilis Prairie Willow, or Salix nigra - Black Willow.
When it comes to evergreens, we only have several choices for native species. I don't have a problem with non-native conifers, but you can make your own decision.
Non-native Evergreens:
Larix decidua - European Larch - native to Europe
Larix kaempferi - Japanese Larch - native to Japan
Pinus nigra - Austrian Pine - native to Europe
Pinus sylvestris - Scotch Pine - native to Eurasia
Picea abies - Norway Spruce - native to Europe
This year, I will be purchasing the Rhus typhina - Staghorn Sumac, Ilex verticillata - Winterberry, and possibly the Corylus americana - American Hazelnut.
I hope this helps you make the correct choice for your yard. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kimberly at kmsnativeplants@gmail.com.
