Plant sale to address Sandy storm damage

Thousands of tree and shrub seedlings have been sold on New York's Long Island to repair destruction of plants caused by Superstorm Sandy, officials said. The Conservation District of Nassau County organized a bulk tree and shrub-buying program to help homeowners, local governments and businesses economically purchase plants to replace those destroyed by the storm. "The interest in this program far exceeded our expectations," manager Brian Zimmerman said in a district release Monday. "Long Island needs its trees and shrubs," he said. "They help reduce storm water runoff, prevent soil erosion, provide habitat and shade, beautify the landscape and protect our bays and harbors. This program makes it easy for all of us to help rebuild Long Island." Seventeen varieties of native trees and shrubs were offered for sale ranging from hardwoods such as spruces, oaks and maples and ornamentals such as dogwoods to shrubs including butterfly bushes and highbush blueberries, the district reported.