Proper tree planting requires a lot of decision making. One of those decisions is which species and which age is the most appropriate and cost effective to plant. The Division of Forestry’s reforestation program would like to take some of the unknowns out of that process by giving landowners and property managers an early peek at what the Wisconsin state nurseries anticipate having available this fall.

This list is preliminary, as it is possible that some species will be added or subtracted depending on health, growth, and several other factors as the growing season begins to wane. However, most of these trees and shrubs listed will be available to purchase on the first Monday of October (October 1, 2018).  Here is our seedling sales page. 

The quantity measurements are relative to a particular species based on historic sales and projected demand. For example, we typically sell about 50,000 white cedar. This year, due to several factors, we have approximately 21,000 available; hence the quantity will be referred to as “very limited.”  In contrast, our balsam fir had an above average germination, are growing great and the inventory is above the projected sales, hence an “adequate” quantity designation.

Here is a list of species, age and the relative quantity we expect to have available for sale starting October 1, 2018:

Cedar, White 3-0 = Very limited
Fir, Balsam 3-0 = Adequate
Hemlock, Eastern = Not available in 2019
Pine, Jack 1-0 = Adequate
Pine, Red 2-0  = Limited
Pine, Red 3-0  = Very limited
Pine, White 2-0  = Adequate
Pine, White 3-0  = Very limited
Spruce, Black 2-0  = Adequate
Spruce, White 2-0  = Adequate
Spruce, White 3-0  = Very limited
Tamarack  = Very limited

Aspen  = Adequate
Basswood =  Very limited
Birch, River 1-0 =  Adequate
Birch, White 1-0  = Limited
Birch, Yellow 2-0  = Very limited
Butternut  = Very limited
Cherry, Black 1-0 = Limited
Cherry, Black 2-0 = Adequate
Hackberry 1-0  = Limited
Hackberry 2-0 = Limited
Hickory, Bitternut 2-0 = Not available in 2019
Hickory, Shagbark 2-0  = Very limited
Hickory, Shagbark 3-0 = Very limited
Maple, Red 2-0  = Very limited
Maple, Silver 1-0  = Limited
Maple, Silver 2-0  = Very limited
Maple, Sugar 2-0  = Limited
Oak, Bur 1-0  = Adequate
Oak, Bur 2-0  = Very limited
Oak, Red 1-0  = Adequate
Oak, Red 2-0  = Not available in 2019
Oak, Swamp Oak 1-0 =  Very limited
Oak, Swamp Oak 2-0  = Not available in 2019
Oak, White 1-0  = Very limited
Oak, White 2-0  = Very limited
Sycamore 1-0  = Not available in 2019
Walnut, Black  = Adequate

Cherry, Choke  = Very limited
Cranberry, Highbush = Limited
Hawthorn, Cockspur  = Very limited
Dogwood, Red-osier  = Limited
Dogwood, Silky  = Adequate
Juneberry (Serviceberry) =  Very limited
Hazelnut  = Adequate
Ninebark  = Very limited
Plum, Wild  = Adequate

If a planting project includes species not found on the above list, it is always possible to purchase seedlings from any of the private nurseries located throughout the state.  Here is a listing of private nurseries that sell bare root seedlings.

More updates will follow as the first Monday in October approaches. If you have any questions regarding tree seedling availability or anything related to reforestation, please contact the program staff.

Griffith Nursery: (715) 424-3700
Hayward Nursery: (715) 492-1204
Wilson Nursery: (608) 375-4123