TOLEDO, Ore. — What does the Oregon’s largest Sitka spruce tree have in common with an annual seedling sale that grows scholarships?

Both are proof that mighty trees start as the smallest twig.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Oregon Small Woodlands Assn. will hold its popular tree-seedling sale at the Table Mountain Forestry Shop, 247 NE Hwy. 20, Toledo. Now in its 10th year and still growing, proceeds from the event underwrite $2,000 scholarships for Lincoln County high schoolers enrolled in vocational-tech classes such as the forestry program at Taft H.S. operated by award-winning teacher Jake Tolan.

Among the native Oregon tree seedlings and shrub species available, most for $2 ea., are conifers including Douglas fir, Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Giant Sequoia (limited), and Coastal Redwood. Deciduous offerings comprise Pacific Willow, Geyer Willow, and Big Leaf Maple. Forbs offered are Red Osier Dogwood, Twinberry and Red Flowering Currant.

Larger orders of 100 to 200-plus of Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock, are also available, but limited. To guarantee big orders, contact OSWA via Joe Steere, [email protected].

The annual seedling sale is designed to provide the public with affordable native tree seedlings, promote natural resource conservation awareness and raise funds for the OSWA chapter and education activities.

To see where all this leads, however, head to Lincoln City’s Regatta Park, home of what many believe to be Oregon’s oldest and largest Sitka spruce. At 400-plus years of age, the tree is 33-feet in circumference at the base, according to city parks officials. With its longstanding respect for trees, Lincoln City earned the designation of Tree City USA in 2008.

For anyone interested in leaving a better world than the one they entered, the OSWA Annual Tree Seedling Sale on Sat. Feb. 28, is a fortuitous event. For more details, visit the Beacon Events Page.