DNR Tree, Shrub Seedling Sales Have Now Begun In Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order 112 on Earth Day, 2021, which pledges to protect and restore Wisconsin’s forestland by conserving 125,000 acres and planting 75 million trees by 2030.

Then, on Earth Day 2024, with over 32 million trees already planted, the governor signed Executive Order 221, which upped the ante and pledged the following goals would be hit by 2030:

• Conserve 125,000 acres of forestland
• Plant 99 million trees in rural areas
• Plant 1 million trees in urban areas

This Trillion Trees Pledge to plant 100 million trees across the state by 2030 is ambitious, but with the help of Wisconsin landowners, it is achievable, and now is the time to order seedlings to plant next year.

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 Seedling Orders Now Being Taken For Trees and Shrubs In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it is now accepting seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners for trees and shrubs to be planted in spring 2026.

The DNR notes that for over 100 years, Wisconsin forest nurseries have provided high-quality, native tree seedlings, appropriate for planting throughout Wisconsin. 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. He adds that planting trees is not only an educational experience, but it's also a great thing for families to do together.

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

Seedling Ordering Process

The DNR has set the minimum order to consist 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.

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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

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

There will likely be high demand, and some species are limited in supply, so it's recommended that you 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, and customers are welcome to 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.