The San Juan National Forest will offer native ponderosa pine seedlings to the public from Friday through April 29.
The San Juan National Forest will offer native ponderosa pine seedlings to the public from Friday through April 29.Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

The seedlings are free, though donations to the Plant-a-Tree program, which funds reforestation projects, are encouraged.

People can pick up a maximum of 10 seedlings per person. They should be kept cool (in the shade or in a refrigerator) and be planted within a week.

Seedlings can be picked up at Forest Service offices in Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs and Dolores.

For more information, call 247-4874.

Planting tips

Plant between 7,000 and 9,000 feet.Plant in well-drained soil that receives at least a half day of sun. Ponderosas do not survive in soil that is moist all summer long.When transplanting, soil must be damp.Dig a hole longer than the roots. The tree should be buried within a half inch of its bottom needles.Tap soil tightly around the trees. Scrape away competing vegetation for about a 1-foot radius around the seedling.It is not necessary to water the seedling, except in times of extended dry periods.