- January 29, 1931 – Flyer from the Conservation Department – Division of Lands and Forests (Henry Morganthau, Jr. Commissioner; Carl E. Ladd, Deputy Commissioner; Herbert F. Prescott, Secretary)
To Former Purchasers of Trees from State Nurseries:
Enclosed is a tree order blank listing species of trees available for planting this spring. The State Nurseries have been put to full capacity the past two years and our present nursery inventory contains 114,000,000 trees. There is available this year a large stock of 4-year transplants of White pine, Scotch pine and White cedar of suitable size to meet all ground cover conditions. No Red pine, Norway spruce, White spruce or Balsam transplants are available this spring, although 3-year stock of these species will be ready for use in the fall of 1931 and spring of 1932. Due to the extreme drought of the last two years the height of the 3-year transplants is somewhat less than in former years although the root growth is of average size. However, we recommend the use of 4-year transplants of White and Scotch pine and White Cedar, as this stock is especially good. The Red pine, Norway and White spruce 2-year seedlings are of better than average size, and are recommended for favorable planting conditions.
The trees purchased by you in former years should be making good growth and showing above the grass and weeds. The first two or three years a tree is becoming established and getting its roots started. After that more rapid growth should follow. Plantations that have spots that did not come through successfully should be filled in now. It is suggested that landowners adopt a program of planting a certain additional area of land each year until all available idle lands are utilized for this purpose.
Reforestation has proved successful in New York State and this fact is reflected in the increase in tree orders received in this office from 751 orders for 6,761,000 trees in 1917 to 3,276 orders for 24,960,690 trees in 1930. The important part now played in the reforesting movement by municipal authorities, agricultural agencies, fish and game clubs, industrial concerns and individual land owners is evidence of the success of tree planting.
To insure obtaining stock for planting, you should send in your application now, for orders are filled in order of their receipt and nearly 3,000,000 trees have been ordered to date. You may be sure that your order will receive prompt attention as soon as it is received, and a notice will be sent you stating that fact. Please use the enclosed blank for ordering trees.
Very truly yours,
- G. Howard, Superintendent
Lands and Forests