Plant programs

Shand Greenhouse grows approximately 500,000 trees, shrubs and native plants a year. We provide seedlings to various Saskatchewan residents and organizations for shelterbelts, wildlife habitat and reclamation projects.

Planting trees provides many aesthetic and environmental benefits important to SaskPower and Shand Greenhouse. The benefits of trees are numerous and include:

  • Oxygen Replenishment
    In the process of photosynthesis, trees convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. Without trees there would be no life on earth.
  • Carbon Dioxide Sequestration
    In order to photosynthesize and release oxygen, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. At maturity, trees from Shand Greenhouse will help to sequester over 20,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
  • Ground Water Filtration
    The hair-like root fibers of trees help filter ground water, trapping nutrients and pollutants such as nitrates and phosphates that would contaminate it.
  • Soil Retention and Rejuvenation
    Tree roots hold soil in place so it cannot easily be washed away by wind or water; the decaying of dead tree parts (leaves) returns nutrients to the soil.
  • Flood Water Control
    The root systems of trees hold in place soil that, if washed away by heavy rains, would flow into streams and rivers, making them shallower and allowing flood waters to overflow protective banks. Tree canopy also breaks the force of rainfall and disburses the water.
  • Climate Control
    Trees work as natural barriers to wind, snow, rain, and solar rays to control climates.
  • Habitat for Wildlife
    Trees and forests provide homes for thousands of different species of animals.
  • Aesthetics
    Trees beautify areas such as parks, streets, and schoolyards.
  • Productivity & Health
    It has been shown that workers who view trees on their commute are more productive and experience less stress on the job. Studies show that the greenery and scenery of trees speed up recovery and decrease medication use by patients in hospitals.