Order tree seedlings now to plant for the future

Weekly News Article Published: October 13, 2009 by the Central Office

Customer-friendly process for ordering State Nursery tree, shrub seedlings

MADISON - Now is the time for landowners to consider ordering seedlings for planting in spring 2010, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Nursery Program has made the process easy.

“Planting trees and shrubs on your property is a great way to improve the wildlife habitat, increase the land’s value, reduce soil erosion, produce future wood products, and improve the overall aesthetics of their property, according to Jim Storandt, superintendent of the Griffith State Nursery in Wisconsin Rapids.” Planting trees can also be a great family activity that provides a learning opportunity for the young. It’s something that will leave everyone involved with the feeling of having made a positive impact on the land.”

“The tree and shrub seedlings grown at the Hayward, Wisconsin Rapids, and Boscobel nurseries are quality species native to the state,” according to Gordon Christians, superintendent of the Hayward State Nursery in Hayward.

The DNR Nursery Program has placed a strong emphasis on customer service and has made the process of ordering seedlings as customer-friendly as possible, Storandt said.

Customers have the option of ordering online, or they can print out the Order Form from the state nursery Web site and send the form to the Griffith Nursery, 473 Griffith Ave., Wisconsin Rapids 54494. Customers can also contact the DNR forester who serves their area and receive the form or pick up the form at a DNR Service Center.

In addition to the online form, customers who use the Internet have easy access to the following items:

Current tree and shrub inventory to make sure tree choices are available. (The inventory page is regularly updated.)
Access to the 32-page State Nursery Seedling Catalog [PDF], which includes detailed information on seedling species available from the nurseries.
Frequently asked questions with information on how the ordering process works, payment options, minimum order requirements, etc.
Links on how to contact a local DNR forester and the Griffith State Nursery (for anyone having specific questions).
Links to additional tree planting information, including a personalized tree planting plan; tree planting tips; reforestation supplies; site preparation; publications, webcasts, and videos; and information on planting for windbreaks and wildlife.

In the event the nurseries run out of a particular species, the Web site also includes a link to private nurseries throughout the state.

Seedlings from the state nurseries are used for private, industrial, and state/county reforestation and conservation plantings. They can also be purchased by state youth groups and educational organizations for their reforestation and conservation planting projects. Additionally, seedlings that Wisconsin’s Grade 4 students receive as part of a school’s Arbor Day observance are also grown at the state nurseries.

Wisconsin’s Nursery Program produces 10 to 20 million seedlings annually, according to Joseph Vande Hey, superintendent of the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel. Since its creation in 1911, the state nurseries have produced more than 1.5 billion seedlings. The nursery operations are also participate in research efforts (the tree improvement program, the nursery soils research program, and the nursery insect and disease research programs) and purchase tree seed collected by state residents.

DNR began accepting orders for trees and shrubs for planting in 2010 as of the first week in October, according to Storandt.

“Anyone thinking about buying seedlings is strongly encouraged to place an order early because some species sell out quickly,” Storandt said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jim Storandt, (715) 424-3700.

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Last Revised: Tuesday, October 13, 2009