Every year, for as long as I can remember, the Soil Conservation District in my area has hosted a spring tree sale. Nowadays the soil part of their name is gone and are now known as the Conservation District because they are involved in so much more than controlling soil erosion.
Nearly every county in Michigan has its own Conservation District and just about every district holds some kind of plant sale. The plant selections may vary slightly from district to district but they all offer plants used for conserving soil and encouraging wildlife.
At these sales you can order conifers like spruce, pine and fir. Common deciduous trees like oaks, maples and cherry are available as well as the lesser known hackberry, persimmon and others.
Each district decides for itself which plants to sell but often you’ll find shrubs such as American plum, elderberry, cranberry, currents, hazelnuts and other varieties.
Native grasses and perennials are offered by some districts. At those sales you can buy big or little bluestem, indian grass, switchgrass and milkweeds.
Tree sales are a major source of funds that go toward conservation projects in the local districts. To find a Conservation District in Michigan, click on this link. Do it soon because plants often sell out early.
Bob