The Wisconsin DNR’s Reforestation Program sells tree and shrub seedlings by age class. Trees are graded, using minimum size specifications for each species, with the stem and root quality taken into consideration. Because of this, seedling size can be variable for some species. The minimum size for each species/age class is the smallest seedling deemed by reforestation staff to have a high probability of surviving and thriving after planting. In addition, some conifer, hardwood and shrub species are top-cut to approximately 14 inches in height to improve root-top ratios and facilitate shipping and handling.
Conifers
Conifer stock descriptions| Species | Age | Min. Ht. (in) | Avg. Ht. (in) | Ht. Range (in) | Min. Caliper (in) | Avg. Caliper (in) | Inventory Status (as of 10/5/2026) | Narrative |
|---|
| Cedar, White | 3-0 | 5 | 15 | 5-24 | 5/64 | 3/16 | Very Limited | Variably sized, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. |
| Fir, Balsam | 3-0 | 5 | 8 | 5-12 | 5/64 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variably sized, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. |
| Pine, Jack | 1-0 | 4 | 6 | 4-10 | 5/64 | 1/8 | Adequate | Improved. Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand planting. Suitable for machine planting. |
| Pine, Jack | 2-0 | 8 | 12 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for machine or hand planting. |
| Pine, Red | 2-0 | 5 | 7 | 5-8 | 5/64 | 3/16 | Adequate | Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for machine or hand planting. |
| Pine, Red | 3-0 | 8 | 12 | 8-14 | 3/32 | 1/4 | Very Limited | Well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. |
| Pine, White | 2-0 | 5 | 7 | 5-12 | 5/64 | 1/8 | Adequate | Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. |
| Pine, White | 3-0 | 8 | 15 | 8-20 | 3/32 | 1/4 | Adequate | Variable seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. |
| Spruce, Black | 2-0 | 5 | 10 | 5-16 | 5/64 | 3/32 | Adequate | Vigorous, variably sized. Ideal for hand planting. Suitable for machine planting. |
| Spruce, Black | 3-0 | 8 | 15 | 8-24 | 3/32 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variable seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. |
| Spruce, White | 2-0 | 5 | 8 | 5-16 | 5/64 | 1/8 | Adequate | Improved. Vigorous, variably sized seedlings. Ideal for hand planting. Suitable for machine planting. |
| Spruce, White | 3-0 | 8 | 15 | 8-24 | 3/32 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variably sized, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. |
| Tamarack | 2-0 | 6 | 18 | 6-24 | 5/64 | 3/16 | Limited | Variably sized. Ideal for hand or machine planting. |
Hardwoods
Hardwood stock descriptions| Species | Age | Min. Ht. (in) | Avg. Ht. (in) | Ht. Range (in) | Min. Caliper (in) | Avg Caliper (in) | Inventory status (as of 10/5/2026) | Narrative |
|---|
| Aspen spp. | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/4 | Very Limited | Root-pruned to 8 inches. Suitable for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Basswood, American | Sdl | 6 | 12 | 6-14 | 1/8 | 5/16 | Very Limited | Vigorous, variable sized seedlings. Suitable for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Birch, River | 2-0 | 8 | 12 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Well-balanced seedling. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Birch, White | 1-0 | 8 | 10 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Limited | Variably sized, vigorous seedling. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Birch, Yellow | 1-0 | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Vigorous, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Butternut | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 10-14 | 1/4 | 1/4 | Very Limited | Large, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. Top cut. Forest-run seed with no proven disease resistance. |
| Cherry, Black | 1-0 | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variable sized, vigorous seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Cherry, Black | 2-0 | 10 | 14 | 10-14 | 3/16 | 3/16 | Adequate | Well-balanced seedling. Suitable for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Hackberry | 1-0 | 6 | 10 | 6-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Limited | Well-balanced seedlings. Suitable for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Hickory, Bitternut | 2-0 | 5 | 12 | 5-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Sturdy seedlings with strong taproot. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Locust, Honey | 1-0 | 8 | 12 | 8-18 | 1/8 | 1/8 | Very Limited | Vigorous, well-balanced seedling. Ideal for hand or machine planting. May have thorns--handle with care. |
| Maple, Silver | 1-0 | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/8 | Very Limited | Vigorous, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Maple, Silver | 2-0 | 10 | 14 | 10-14 | 3/16 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variably sized. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. Top cut. |
| Maple, Sugar | 2-0 | 6 | 14 | 6-18 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Very Limited | Variably sized. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, Bur | 1-0 | 6 | 10 | 6-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Very Limited | Vigorous, well-balanced seedling. Ideal for hand planting. Suitable for machine planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, Bur | 2-0 | 10 | 14 | 10-14 | 3/16 | 1/4 | Very Limited | Variably sized. Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, Red | 1-0 | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Vigorous, well-rooted seedling. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, Red | 2-0 | 10 | 14 | 10-14 | 3/16 | 1/4 | Very Limited | Sturdy seedling, Ideal for machine planting. Suitable for hand planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, Swamp white | 1-0 | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Very Limited | Vigorous, sturdy, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Oak, White | 1-0 | 8 | 12 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/8 | Very Limited | Variably sized, vigorous seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Sycamore | 2-0 | 10 | 14 | 10-14 | 3/16 | 3/16 | Adequate | Well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Walnut, Black | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 10-14 | 1/4 | 1/4 | Limited | Vigorous, well-rooted 1-0 seedlings. Ideal for machine or hand planting. Top cut. |
Shrubs
Shrub stock descriptions| Species | Age | Min. Ht. (in) | Avg. Ht. (in) | Size Range (in) | Min. Caliper (in) | Avg Caliper (in) | Inventory Status (as of 10/5/2026) | Narrative |
|---|
| Buttonbush | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Limited | Sturdy, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Chokeberry, Black (Aronia spp.) | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Very limited | Vigorous, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Cranberry, Highbush | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/4 | Limited | Variably sized, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Crabapple, Prairie | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/8 | Limited | Variably sized, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Dogwood, Red osier | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Limited | Variably sized, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Dogwood, Silky | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/8 | Adequate | Variably sized, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) | Sdl | 8 | 12 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 1/4 | Adequate | Sturdy, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. May have thorns--handle with care. |
| Hazelnut, American | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Variably sized, well balanced, well-rooted seedlings. Suitable for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Juneberry (Serviceberry) | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Limited | Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Many multi-stemmed. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Ninebark | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Vigorous, variably sized, well-rooted seedlings. Many multi-stemmed. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
| Plum, American | Sdl | 8 | 14 | 8-14 | 1/8 | 3/16 | Adequate | Vigorous, well-rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. |
Definitions
Age
- 1-0: Planted as seed, harvested after one season of growth
- 2-0: Planted as seed, harvested after two seasons of growth
- 3-0: Planted as seed, harvested after three seasons of growth
- Sdl: Mixture of 1-0 and 2-0 seedlings
Inventory status
- Adequate: Greater than 75% of projected demand
- Limited: Between 50% and 75% of projected demand
- Very limited: Less than 50% of projected demand
Narrative terms
- Caliper: Diameter of a seedlings stem at ground level
- Improved: Seed sourced from orchards that are part of an active selective breeding program
- Root-pruned: Excessive root growth removed at grading
- Sturdy: Caliper larger than typical for specific species
- Top cut: Any tree growth over 14-16" pruned to facilitate shipping and planting
- Variable: Wide-ranging
- Vigorous: Nutrient loaded seedling
- Well-balanced: Equal sized roots and tops
- Well-rooted: Well-developed tap and/or feeder and fine roots with ample root hairs
