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Nebraska Tree Seedlings Open at $1.25 Each

Landowners can order spring 2027 seedlings through their local Natural Resources District, which may also offer cost-share help.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Landscaping

Rows of young tree seedlings planted in dark tilled prairie soil, with a distant line of mature windbreak trees under a wide open sky.
Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts opened orders for spring 2027 tree seedlings at about $1.25 each, with cost-share help available to landowners. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Have you noticed fewer trees in your local community over the past five years?

Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts have opened seedling orders for the spring 2027 planting season, with seedlings costing around $1.25 each. Landowners order through their local NRD, and many districts offer cost-share programs to offset planting expenses.

Why it matters

Trees and shrubs help prevent soil erosion, shield livestock and crops from severe wind, improve water quality, and create wildlife habitat, which affects both farm operations and rural property value. Rural residents have noticed fewer trees in their communities over the past five years, which is why districts are pushing the program now.

Seedlings cost around $1.25 each through Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts, which have planted more than 102 million trees since the program launched in 1972. Depending on the district, planting assistance, drip irrigation, and weed barrier installation may also be available.

The players

Nebraska Natural Resources Districts

Nebraska's 23 regional districts that run the Conservation Tree Program, offering seedlings, site planning, and cost-share assistance to landowners.

The details

Landowners place seedling orders through their local Natural Resources District, and district foresters and staff work with property owners to select species suited to their soil types and to map site plans. Districts may also help with planting, drip irrigation, and weed barrier installation, and many offer cost-share programs that offset part of the planting expense.

Timeline

  1. 1972: The NRD Conservation Tree Program launched across Nebraska.

  2. Past five years: Rural residents noticed fewer trees in their local communities.

  3. Upcoming spring planting season: Seedling orders are open for spring 2027 planting.

The Home Front

The Conservation Tree Program has operated across Nebraska since 1972, and its more than 102 million planted trees give the current seedling offering a long track record. The renewed push reflects a survey finding that most rural residents have seen local tree cover decline over the past five years.

If you own rural land or a home with open space, contact your local Natural Resources District to check seedling availability and cost-share options before spring planting. Ask the district forester which species suit your soil type and site layout.

The takeaway

Trees planted now can shield crops, livestock, and soil for decades, and Nebraska's districts offer seedlings at around $1.25 each. Contact your local NRD before spring to reserve seedlings and ask about cost-share assistance.

Further reading

For more on planning tree and shrub plantings around the home, see Landscaping.

More information

Find your local district and place a seedling order through the NRD Find Your NRD and seedling order page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Ksnblocal4.

Live Poll

Have you noticed fewer trees in your local community over the past five years?