DNR Tree And Shrub Seedling Sales To Begin Oct. 6

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners for trees and shrubs to be planted in spring 2026, starting Oct. 6, 2025.

Wisconsin forest nurseries have provided high-quality, native tree seedlings, appropriate for planting throughout Wisconsin, for over 100 years. Seedlings grown at the state nurseries are used for reforestation and conservation plantings on private, industrial, tribal and public lands.

“Planting trees or shrubs is a great way to improve wildlife habitat, increase land value, reduce soil erosion, produce future wood products and improve the overall aesthetics of your property,” said Joe Vande Hey, DNR reforestation team leader at the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel. “Planting trees is also a great family activity that involves all ages, providing an educational experience and an opportunity to become more invested in forest stewardship and the environment.”

Any tree seedlings planted will also get Wisconsin closer to its Trillion Trees Pledge of planting 100 million trees across the state by 2030.

A minimum order consists of a packet of 300 trees or shrubs in increments of 100 of each species, or 500 shrubs or 1,000 tree seedlings. Youth groups and educational organizations can also purchase seedlings for their reforestation and conservation planting projects.

Conifer species available this year include white cedar, balsam fir, jack, red and white pine, black and white spruce and tamarack. Hardwoods available include aspen, basswood, river and yellow birch, butternut, black cherry, hackberry, bitternut hickory, silver and sugar (hard) maple, bur, red, southern pin, swamp white and white oak, sycamore and black walnut. Shrubs include prairie crab, highbush cranberry, red-osier dogwood, hawthorn, American hazelnut and American plum.

Seedling orders can be placed using the online form found on the DNR website or by printing and completing the order form and mailing it to:

Griffith State Nursery
473 Griffith Ave.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Some species are limited in supply, and there will likely be high demand. Order early for the best chance to get seedlings and provide a preferred replacement species or age class if a species sells out. The DNR website has information about seedling size and characteristics.

Customers can contact reforestation staff or a DNR forester for assistance, including reforestation advice or a planting plan. Printed copies of the order form are also available; call a local forester or nursery for details.

Regardless of type, all orders will be batched on Oct. 6 and randomly added to the system, so everyone has the same opportunity to get the seedlings they need.

Visit the DNR website for the current inventory, answers to frequently asked questions, tree planting information and a list of private nurseries with tree and shrub seedlings.

For more information, contact the Griffith State Nursery office at 715-424-3700.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.