The N.C. Forest Service began accepting orders July 1 for its annual tree seedling sale. With an average annual production of 10 million seedlings, the NCFS Nursery Program produces enough native and genetically improved tree seedlings to plant roughly 18,700 acres of land.
Quality conifer and hardwood seedlings are available for purchase in a range of quantities. Genetically improved stock is available for Fraser fir, loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, Eastern white pine and Virginia pine. These seedlings offer better volume growth, tree form, disease resistance, straightness, and other characteristics needed to produce beautiful Christmas trees, healthy woodlands and quality forest products.
Customers interested in knowing more about specific tree species and available inventory can speak with NCFS Nursery staff, as well as reference the ordering website or seedling catalogs.
Seedlings can be ordered by visiting buynctrees.com or calling 1.888.NC.TREES.
A user-friendly online catalog will soon be available at ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/nursery-tree-improvement-program.
Seedling catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices.
Most containerized seedlings are available and used October through March while most bare root seedlings are available and used January through March. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 13 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.
For information on planting trees, customers are encouraged to contact their local NCFS county ranger. Contact information for NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at ncforestservice.gov/contacts.