Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program will hold its seventh annual native tree and shrub sale this fall with 25 pickup locations across the state. Funds from the sale will support regional Master Watershed Steward volunteer activities, including stream repair projects, tree plantings and youth education programs.
This year’s fundraiser features one native woody vine species and 23 native tree and shrub varieties, including the highly requested pawpaw and persimmon. Master Watershed Stewards will accept orders through Aug. 25 or until supplies run out, with curbside pickup available in September or October. Pickup dates and times vary by location.
Native plants offer a variety of benefits to communities, including environmental, social and even economic benefits, program leaders noted. Native trees, shrubs and other plants improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and enrich and enhance property and enjoyment. Master Watershed Stewards plant trees to intercept and infiltrate stormwater, stabilize soils, and filter pollutants. Whether residents seek trees for privacy, foliage, shade, pollinator attraction or a beautiful landscape, the sale organizers noted that the program offers a variety of trees and shrubs to meet a wide range of needs.
Trees and shrubs will be available in 1-gallon pots for $25, 2-gallon pots for $35, or 3-gallon pots for $45. Species sold in 1-, 2-, and 3-gallon pots also will be available as bundles of three for a reduced price. New this year, two species sold as container seedlings will be available for purchase, sold in bundles of 5 for $50.
Organizers encourage residents to consider above- and below-ground utilities and mature growth size when choosing a tree for their property and always to call 811 before digging. Details about each tree — such as average mature height, sun and soil moisture requirements, and bloom time — are outlined on the order website.
Master Watershed Stewards guarantee a healthy specimen at pickup. Due to variations in planting, site conditions and care, no guarantees or refunds are possible after tree pickup.
Orders can be placed online or by phone at 877-345-0691 for curbside pickup in the fall. Customer service hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. All items must be preordered. Plants will not be available for purchase at pickup sites.
Below are instructions on how to order:
- Browse available items in the tree and shrub catalog, which includes photos and detailed descriptions.
- Once the plants are chosen, click the “Order Now” button at the top of the page to purchase.
- Complete the tree and shrub order form, selecting the quantities of each item desired for purchase.
- Choose the most convenient pickup location and date.
- To complete the order, provide payment and submit the form.
Organizers note to get the discounted price for single-species bundles of three plants, customers must purchase them as bundles. Purchasing these plants using the individual plant ordering option will not give a discount, even when ordering multiples of three plants.
The program offers pickup locations in the following counties: Adams, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming, McKean, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Tioga, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/tree-and-shrub-fundraiser.
For those seeking assistance on how to properly plant and maintain a new tree, the program will offer the Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success webinar from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2, after tree sale orders are placed and before the plants are picked up.
The webinar is free to tree sale customers and $5 for non-customers. During this webinar, participants will learn how to select planting sites and care for native trees and shrubs to ensure successful growth, with a focus on containerized species in the 2026 native tree and shrub sale. Customers can register for the webinar at https://extension.psu.edu/proper-native-tree-planting-for-long-term-success. Individuals must register to receive access to the live or recorded webinar.
To receive complimentary access to the webinar, tree sale customers must place their tree sale order first and then register for the Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success webinar using the discount code provided in the order confirmation email.
The Penn State Master Watershed Steward program provides extensive training in watershed management to volunteers who, in return, educate the community about watershed stewardship based on university research and recommendations. The program was established to strengthen local capacity for management and protection of watersheds, streams, and rivers by educating and empowering volunteers across the commonwealth.