Proper tree planting requires a lot of decision making. One of the most crucial decisions to make is which species and age are the most appropriate and cost-effective to plant. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reforestation Program is taking some of the unknowns out of that process by giving landowners and property managers an early peek at the seedlings we anticipate having available in Fall 2023 for planting in Spring 2024.
This list is preliminary, as some species may be added, adjusted or removed depending on health, growth and other factors as the growing season progresses.
The listed tree and shrub seedlings will be available to purchase starting on Monday, October 2, 2023. Though we expect high demand, we anticipate having a variety of species and ages available to all customers.
The quantity designations listed below are relative to particular species based on historical sales and projected demand. For example, our anticipated demand for 3-0 white pine sales is about 235,000 seedlings. In 2023, the available quantity will be approximately 60% of the anticipated need, making the quantity available “limited.” In contrast, our 2-0 white pine had above-average germination, they are growing well, and the inventory is above projected sales, giving it “adequate” availability. A customer may not get the 3-0 white pine they prefer but most likely could obtain the desired species in a younger age class.
| Species | Quantity | Species | Quantity | |
| Aspen | Limited | Oak, Bur 2-0 | Very limited | |
| Basswood | Very limited | Oak, Red 1-0 | Adequate | |
| Birch, River 1-0 | Adequate | Oak, Red 2-0 | Very limited | |
| Birch, Yellow | Very limited | Oak, Southern Pin 1-0 | Adequate | |
| Butternut | Adequate | Oak, Swamp white 1-0 | Limited | |
| Buttonbush | Adequate | Oak, Swamp white 2-0 | Very limited | |
| Cedar, White 3-0 | Adequate | Oak, White 1-0 | Adequate | |
| Cherry, Black 1-0 | Adequate | Oak, White 2-0 | Limited | |
| Cherry, Black 2-0 | Adequate | Pine, Jack 1-0 | Adequate | |
| Cherry, Choke | Adequate | Pine, Jack 2-0 | Adequate | |
| Cranberry, Highbush | Adequate | Pine, Red 2-0 | Limited | |
| Dogwood, Red-osier | Adequate | Pine, Red 3-0 | Adequate | |
| Dogwood, Silky | Adequate | Pine, White 2-0 | Adequate | |
| Elderberry | Adequate | Pine, White 3-0 | Limited | |
| Elm, American 1-0 | Adequate | Plum, Wild | Adequate | |
| Fir, Balsam 3-0 | Limited | Spruce, Black 2-0 | Adequate | |
| Hackberry 1-0 | Adequate | Spruce, Black 3-0 | Very limited | |
| Hawthorn, Cockspur | Limited | Spruce, White 2-0 | Adequate | |
| Hazelnut | Adequate | Spruce, White 3-0 | Adequate | |
| Hickory, Bitternut 2-0 | Very limited | Sycamore 1-0 | Adequate | |
| Maple, Silver 1-0 | Limited | Tamarack | Adequate | |
| Maple, Sugar 2-0 | Adequate | Walnut, Black | Adequate | |
| Ninebark | Limited | Winterberry, Common | Limited | |
| Oak, Bur 1-0 | Adequate |
Several species, including white birch, red maple, shagbark hickory, prairie crab and Juneberry, are not available for spring 2024 due to either a lack of available seed, challenges during the growing season, or the seedlings do not meet our stringent sales requirements.
If your planting project includes a species of tree not listed above, you can likely find seedlings from private nurseries throughout the state. Find a list of these nurseries on our Bare Root Reforestation Nurseries webpage.
More updates will follow as October approaches. If you have questions regarding tree seedling availability or anything related to reforestation, please contact the Reforestation Program staff.
Griffith Nursery: 715-424-3700
Hayward Nursery: 715-492-1204
Wilson Nursery: 608-375-4123