Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace
Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace™, a complement to our Planting Forward™ initiative, offers year-round access to high-quality native trees at nursery-direct prices. Inspired by the 2020 derecho and the urgent need to address climate change, Woodlands empowers Linn County residents to rebuild a resilient tree canopy.
YEAR-ROUND ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE!
Online ordering opens Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM (CST), and closes Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM (CST).
How it works:
- Review Available Species Selections: The 2025 program offers a selection of 26 species of high-quality, native trees. Landowners interested in participating in the program should review species options before ordering. Protective deer fencing is also available for order.
- Things to Consider when Selecting Your Trees:
- Consider Oak Trees: the importance of native Iowa Oak trees cannot be overstated. This keystone tree provides food for hundreds of species, pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Learn more from nationally known ecologist and friend of Monarch Research, Dr. Doug Tallamy by clicking here.
- Share this Information: If you are ordering as a repeat participant and need fewer trees, you may want to consider combining your order with a friend, neighbor, or family member.
- Wholesale Cost: Trees are available for order at our wholesale cost of just $25 for each 3-gallon tree.
- No Quantity Limits: Landowners may purchase as many trees as they want - there are no quantity limits! Be sure to order early to assure you get your desired specie(s). All species are while supplies last.
- Complete the Online Order Form: Online ordering begins Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7:00 am and will continue until Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 5:00 pm, while quantities last. Confirmation information will be sent to you via the email address provided.
- Planting and Care: To ensure your new trees thrive, Planting and Care Tips are available on the website and will be handed out during tree pickup. Note: It’s easier to kill a tree, than to plant it correctly from the beginning.
- Tree Pick Up: Tree pickup or delivery (for a fee) dates will be communicated by October 1, 2025. Program participants who also order fencing will receive their fencing at this time. All orders come with planting and care instructions.
- Enjoy your trees for years to come!
Available Tree Species
Hover over any tree image to learn more about that species and its benefits to our ecosystem.
For a complete description of each tree species, click the green LEARN MORE button on any tree image.
Images courtesy of Texas A&M Forest Service.
American Hornbeam
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Black Cherry
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Black Oak
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Black Walnut
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Bur Oak
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Chinkapin Oak
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Downy Serviceberry
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Dwarf Chinkapin Oak
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Eastern Red Cedar
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Hackberry
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Kentucky Coffee
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Native Red Maple
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Northern Red Oak
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PawPaw
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Persimmon
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Pin Oak
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Quaking Aspen
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Redbud
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River Birch
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Shingle Oak
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Sugar Maple
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Swamp White Oak
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Sycamore
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White Oak
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White Pine
Learn MoreWhy Native Trees?
The Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace program emphasizes natives for several reasons:
- Ecological Adaptation: Native trees have evolved in Iowa alongside our native animal species, making them better suited to the local environment. All native animals and insects depend on native species to survive. The trees offered by MR, especially Oaks, serve as food sources to native Iowa pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
- Biodiversity Support: These trees provide essential habitat and food sources for hundreds of native species. Many of the trees offered in the Planting Forward program are considered keystone trees.
- Environmental Health: Native trees are considered the cornerstone of environmental health in the region.
Why Native Tree Marketplace?
- Nursery-Direct Prices: Trees are available to Linn County residents at our wholesale cost. Monarch Research has purchased 22,000 trees from 26 native species for landowners to select from. Cost for each 3-gallon tree is $25.
- Grown with Care from the Best: Our trees come from the largest native nursery in the Midwest and the nation, ensuring top quality.
- 3-Gallon Trees: The Smart Choice
- Better Survival Rate: Minimal transplant shock.
- Cost Effective: Lower price compared to larger trees.
- Rapid Growth: Begins growing immediately, often surpassing 15-gallon trees in size within 7 years.
- RPM Rooting System*: Recognized as the gold standard for healthy root development. *For details on RPM Rooting Systems visit www.fknursery.com
Program History
On August 10, 2020 Cedar Rapids, IA was struck by a derecho, destroying over 50% of our tree canopy and damaging over 8,000 homes. This storm system affected 340 communities in 27 counties in Iowa.
The DNR has estimated Linn County tree loss at 950,000. This overwhelming green infrastructure loss prompted MR and its partners to focus on turbo-charging tree recovery, along with native pollinator habitats, through the Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace initiative.
Monarch Research was formed with the strong belief that responding to the overwhelming environmental challenges faced globally, requires a response locally. As an extension of the Planting Forward program, Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace is not only a response to the derecho disaster but also an opportunity to restore thousands of native trees to our canopy supporting hundreds of native species. In fact, native trees are truly the cornerstone of environmental health.
The program was created with two main goals:
- Replanting all derecho-impacted land in Linn County with high-quality native trees.
- Educating residents on proper tree care and the value that only native trees provide to the environment, pollinators, and people.
Ways to Participate
In addition to our Woodlands Native Tree Marketplace, we have TWO additional offerings:
One Child One Tree: this program offers a FREE native tree for every child (or grandchild) in Linn County. Plant a tree to commemorate the birth of a baby, or to celebrate any aged child!
Planting Forward: A partnership between Monarch Research and local organizations, associations, and governments in Linn County, to distribute trees to employees.
Join Us!
Are you ready to help restore Linn County's tree canopy? Join the movement to help build a better future for our community!
If you are interested in participating or you would like more information, please use the Contact Us button below and start a conversation.
Ready to Make a Difference?
We are always look for passionate, talented, and caring people who want to help support our efforts!
If you are interested in volunteering or you would like more information, please use the Volunteer button below and fill out our online application.
