Nursery Seedling Stock Descriptions
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 2025 for planting in Spring 2026.
This list is preliminary, as some species may be added, adjusted or removed depending on health, growth and other factors as the 2025 growing season progresses.
The listed tree and shrub seedlings will be available to purchase starting on Monday, October 6, 2025. 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 white cedar 3-0 is about 88,000 seedlings. In 2026, the available quantity will be approximately 110% of the anticipated need, making the quantity available “adequate.” In contrast, our combined quantities of 1-0 and 2-0 white oak are low, due to very poor acorn production in the fall of 2024 and difficult weather conditions last winter. Good spring germination and adequate rainfall this season will not be able to overcome the estimated demand for almost 300,000 seedlings. Our fields only hold about 60% of that quantity, thus the availability is considered “limited”. We have adequate quantities of other oaks, so customers may have to alter their planting plans, depending on the quantity of white oaks included in their planting. A discussion with a local forester may be in order.
| Species | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Aspen | Adequate |
| Basswood | Very limited |
| Birch, River 1-0 | Adequate |
| Birch, White 1-0 | Very limited |
| Birch, Yellow 2-0 | Limited |
| Butternut | Adequate |
| Buttonbrush | Adequate |
| Cedar, White 3-0 | Adequate |
| Cherry, Black 1-0 | Adequate |
| Cherry, Choke | Limited |
| Crabapple, Prairie | Limited |
| Cranberry, Highbush | Adequate |
| Dogwood, Grey | Very limited |
| Dogwood, Red-osier | Adequate |
| Dogwood, Silky | Limited |
| Oak, White 2-0 | Limited |
| Pine, Jack 1-0 | Adequate |
| Pine, Jack 2-0 | Limited |
| Pine, Red 2-0 | Adequate |
| Pine, Red 3-0 | Adequate |
| Pine, White 2-0 | Adequate |
| Pine, White 3-0 | Adequate |
| Plum, Wild | Adequate |
| Species | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fir, Balsam 3-0 | Adequate |
| Hackberry 2-0 | Adequate |
| Hawthorn | Limited |
| Hazelnut | Adequate |
| Hemlock, Eastern 3-0 | Limited |
| Hickory, Bitternut 2-0 | Limited |
| Maple, Silver 1-0 | Adequate |
| Maple, Hard 2-0 | Limited |
| Maple, Hard 3-0 | Adequate |
| Oak, Bur 1-0 | Limited |
| Oak, Bur 2-0 | Limited |
| Oak, Red 1-0 | Limited |
| Oak, Red 2-0 | Adequate |
| Oak, Southern pin 2-0 | Adequate |
| Oak, Swamp white 2-0 | Adequate |
| Spruce, Black 2-0 | Adequate |
| Spruce, Black 3-0 | Very limited |
| Spruce, White 2-0 | Adequate |
| Spruce, White 3-0 | Adequate |
| Sycamore 1-0 | Adequate |
| Sycamore 2-0 | Adequate |
| Tamarack 2-0 | Adequate |
| Walnut, Black | Limited |
Several species, including ninebark, elderberry and nannyberry, may not be available for spring 2026 due to either a lack of available tree seed, challenges during the growing season, or 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