COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio landowners interested in starting a woodlot on their properties are encouraged to take advantage of a special offering on Austrian pine from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) state tree nursery in Marietta.
Austrian pine seedlings are currently available for the reduced price of 15 cents each, with a minimum order of 1,000. At this price break the seedlings are not graded or sorted, but rather lifted from the nursery bed, packaged and delivered.
By taking advantage of this sale, homeowners with several acres will be participating in the ODNR Division of Forestry's reforestation efforts. In addition, Austrian pine is a beautiful, strong tree that makes an exceptional windbreak.
Windbreaks are rows of trees and shrubs planted to protect open land and structures. A moderately dense windbreak can reduce wind speeds by 66 percent for a distance equal to 10 times the height of the windbreak. (Download the Ohio Windbreak Guide in .pdf format) This can lower winter heating costs, control blowing and drifting snow, increase the value of property and provide beneficial wildlife habitat. Multiple rows of trees also are effective in filtering out noise and dust from adjacent roads, developments, or fields.
The Austrian pine has been widely planted in eastern and mid-western North America because of its bold texture, fullness of foliage, dark-green needles, and adaptability to urban conditions. The tree may grow 60 feet tall by 40 feet wide, with a medium growth rate. Tax credits are also available to individuals who create forests on their property. The Internal Revenue Service allows for a 10 percent tax credit on the cost of reforestation projects that can be taken directly off federal income taxes.
For example, someone spending $2,000 to establish a forest on their property may be able to directly deduct $200 from the amount of federal taxes they owe that year. In addition to the tax credit, landowners can deduct up to 95 percent of certain reforestation expenses over an eight-year period. Projects that the IRS approves for the reforestation tax credit include: the purchase of seedlings, labor and tools, site preparation and depreciation on equipment associated with tree planting.
Detailed information on these tax-saving programs is available at timbertax.org
State foresters can assist in establishing forests through advice offered by on-site consultations with state service foresters and through the sale of seedlings from the ODNR Marietta Tree Nursery.
ODNR is the largest producer of tree seedlings in the state, selling more than 3,000,000 trees each year for reforestation efforts. Since state reforestation efforts began more than 80 years ago, ODNR foresters have planted more than a half billion trees in Ohio.
For specific information about the availability of various tree species and their prices, or for a list of service forester office locations (by county) and telephone numbers, contact the ODNR Division of Forestry toll free at 1-877-691-8733 or on the Internet at ohiodnr.com