All rural property owners in Alberta have opportunities to place orders for trees for shelterbelt development, wildlife plantings and beautification on their properties. Agroforestry systems such as shelterbelts conserve soil and water, manage snow and wind, improve air quality, protect yards and livestock, stabilize crops and enhance habitat for wildlife. Trees are available through a variety of sources including the many fine private nurseries in business locally. A good source for a listing of local nurseries is Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association (LANTA).

The Prairie Shelterbelt program administered by the federal government agency, Agri-Environment Services Branch (formerly PFRA) provides tree and shrub seedlings at no charge to rural landowners with land holdings of more than five (5) acres in size. This successful program has been ongoing since 1901. Each year over 3.5 million tree seedlings are distributed in the prairie provinces.

Applications for this program are available online or by contacting Leduc County Agricultural Service. Completed applications are submitted directly to the supplier and orders are usually shipped early in May to municipal government offices for distribution. A small delivery charge will be collected at the time of pick up at the County office.

Alberta Nurseries is a private industry nursery that has been in business for many years and, historically, has provided good value for the trees ordered. Shelterbelt variety tree seedlings are available to all Alberta residents at $23 per bundle of ten trees, plus the application fee of $26.25. Alberta Nurseries also has a number of landscape specimen and fruit variety trees available for order on their ornamental trees form as well.

Order forms are available at Marketland or by contacting Leduc County Agricultural Services. Completed order forms are submitted directly to the nursery and orders are coordinated to be shipped early in May at the same time as the Prairie Shelterbelt program trees. A small delivery charge will be collected at the time of pick-up at the County office.

Tree Canada has an excellent website with a number of links to sites promoting community planting programs and providing valuable information about trees and the environment.

Plastic mulch is a very beneficial addition to a newly planted shelterbelt. It keeps moisture from evaporating from the soil surface, provides heat for the seedlings and controls weed competition. Two local suppliers that can be contacted for availability and current pricing are:

It is best to place an order for your preferred mil (weight) of plastic well in advance so stock can be ordered in for you.

The Westlock office of Agri-Environment Services Branch (formerly PFRA) provides use of a plastic mulch applicator to Prairie Shelterbelt program tree order recipients. Please contact the Westlock office at 780-349-3963 to make arrangements to book use of the plastic mulch applicator.

Leduc County Agricultural Services has a pull behind tree planter unit available for rental to Leduc County residents. The tree planter unit is suitable for small, bareroot seedling stock as supplied by the Prairie Shelterbelt program and Alberta Nurseries. Please contact Leduc County Agricultural Services to reserve use of this tree planter unit.