The 2005 Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation Districtannual tree sale kicks off Thursday morning, and organizers expectthe trees to go quickly.

The sale begins at 7:30 a.m. at the new National Guard armory onHighway 84. Almost 30 varieties of trees will be available.

“We have several thousand trees to sell,” said Lynn Richardson,sale volunteer. “They can’t beat the price and we have some pinetrees to give away.”

Prices for the trees range from $1 to $5 each. Loblolly pinesaplings will be free of charge.

The district, in conjunction with the Natural ResourcesConservation Service, has been holding the annual sale for morethan 20 years. Former conservation officer Bill Miller said thesale began in 1984 and has grown over the years.

“People just flock there,” Miller said.

Miller and Richardson encouraged people to arrive early. Thesale lasts until all the trees are sold, but Richardson said lastyear was a sellout by 10:30 a.m.

“If they don’t get there early, they won’t get a good tree,”Richardson said.

Miller and Richardson said the sale is not a major revenueproducer, but proceeds help support district educational efforts, aposter contest for area children and other local projects.

“It puts funds into the conservation programs,” Miller said.