Trees & Weed Barrier

Central Platte NRD has sold 3,922,262 trees since 1972 and 629 miles of weed barrier since 1991.

Congratulations to the 2024 Gateway Expo tree winners: Michaela Wetovick, Danny Cruise, Becky Shafto, Matt Schnackenberg!

Nebraska’s NRDs: Over 100 Million Trees Planted Since 1972!

Since 1972, Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) have partnered with landowners to plant over 100 million trees. This proud tradition continues through our Conservation Tree Program, designed to offer species of trees and shrubs ideal for windbreaks, wildlife habitats, and more. Our trees provide numerous benefits:

  • Windbreaks to shield homes, crops, and livestock.
  • Wildlife habitats for food and shelter.
  • Soil protection to reduce erosion.
  • Energy savings by shading homes.
  • Noise buffering and aesthetic enhancement for your landscape.

Order Your Trees: November 1 – April 1

Get ready to grow! Order your trees through our Conservation Tree Program from November 1 to April 1. Trees are delivered to the CPNRD office in Grand Island, stored in a climate-controlled cooler, and typically ready for pickup by mid-April. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup at our office or your local NRCS office.

Cost

  • Sold in bundles of 25
  • $31.25 for 25 trees   |   $125 for 100 trees
  • Cost-share Available at 50% for trees and weed barrier. Minimum order of 200 trees to be eligible for cost-share funding.
  • Order by December 31 to receive a 10% discount on trees, weed barrier and planting services.

 

 

 

 

Trees & Shrubs Available

Shrubs 
American Hazel, American Plum, Amur Maple, Black Chokeberry, Caragana, Chokecherry, Common Lilac, Elderberry, False Indigo, Golden Currant, Peking Cotoneaster, Red-Osier Dogwood, Sandcherry, Serviceberry, Silver Buffaloberry, Skunkbush Sumac

Deciduous/Hardwoods
Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Bur Oak, Catalpa, Cottonwood, Hackberry, Manchurian Apricot, Midwest Crabapple, Red Oak, Silver Maple, Swamp White Oak

Conifers
Black Hills Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Eastern Red Cedar, Jack Pine, Norway Spruce,  Ponderosa Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Southwestern White Pine

 Tree/Shrub BROCHURE          TREE PHOTOS & DESCRIPTIONS

 

Small Acre Packages  

Cost  50 seedlings for $65 (10 of each tree).  Click the arrow of the package below for the brochure.

  • Eastern Nebraska        Bur Oak, Peking Cotoneaster, Swamp White Oak, Midwest Crabapple, Red-Osier Dogwood
  • Western Nebraska     Ponderosa Pine, Bur Oak, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Silver Buffaloberry, American Plum
  • Flowering Package     Serviceberry, Midwest Crabapple, Common Lilac, Red-Osier Dogwood, Caragana
  • Wildlife Package         Silver Buffaloberry, American Plum, Elderberry, Golden Currant, Red-Osier Dogwood   
ORDER FORM: Trees, shrubs & small acre packages  

Planting Service

A complete tree planting service is available for orders of 200+ trees. Service includes a tree crew with all necessary equipment. When arrangements are made for the NRD to plant the trees, the tree planting crew will deliver them to the landowner at planting time.
Cost:  .50 cents/tree planted    The minimum charge is $200.

Site Preparation

Landowners are responsible for preparing the planting site. The area should be prepped as if planting a garden or field crop. Begin by plowing, followed by disking or rototilling, to create an ideal seedbed. Proper ground preparation is crucial for the survival of your trees.

Autumn is the best time to start preparing the soil, as the winter weather helps the soil mellow, creating optimal conditions for spring planting.

Tree Planting Guide

 

Spacing Between Rows

              • Cedar trees: 10-14′
              • Pine trees: 10-18′
              • Deciduous: 12-16′ apart
              • Shrubs: 4′ apart

Weed Barrier Program

Fabric Weed Barrier

The fabric weed barrier provides long-lasting protection against weeds, offering a hassle-free solution without harming seedlings or the environment. Crafted from durable black polypropylene, this fabric resembles tightly woven burlap and is designed to allow water and nutrients to penetrate the soil effectively. With a guaranteed minimum service life of 5 years, this barrier ensures reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy windbreak or garden with minimal effort.

 PRODUCTS

 COST

 Fabric Weed Barrier   6 feet wide, you choose length  .50 cents/lineal foot + tax
 Sheets of Fabric   4’x4’ sheets  $1.75 /sheet
 Staples    10”x 2”x 8” gauge  .15 cents each
 Fabric & Installation   1,000 linear feet minimum. Customers billed for actual feet after the job  is completed. 50% payment of estimated installation cost required when order is placed.  $1.50 cents per linear foot + tax
ORDER FORM: WEED BARRIER, INSTALLATION

GROUND PREPARATION

Prepare Your Land for Successful Tree Planting!

The success of tree planting begins with thorough ground preparation. Properly preparing the soil is essential to the survival of your trees, as well as for laying a weed barrier. When the ground isn't adequately prepared, it can be extremely challenging—if not impossible—for the NRD team to complete the planting process effectively.
This brochure provides detailed guidance on preparing your land for tree planting and weed barrier installation.  Ground Prep Brochure

What Does a Properly Prepared Site Look Like?
The ground should be tilled at least 8” to 10” deep, ideally in the Fall before planting. The site is ready when it’s in a condition suitable for growing garden vegetables.

Landowner's Responsibility
While the NRD will contact “Diggers Hotline,” it's the landowner's responsibility to place the white marking flags to indicate the rows according to the NRCS planting plan.


GIRDLING

As your trees grow, it's important to cut the fabric back to allow the trunk to have sufficient space and to prevent girdling.  Girdling Video