The N.C. Forest Service will begin accepting orders Wednesday, July 1, for its annual tree seedling sale. With an average annual production of 10 million seedlings and a reliable supply of more than 40 tree species, the NCFS Nursery Program produces enough native and genetically improved tree seedlings to plant roughly 18,700 acres of land.
“Our nursery program continues to provide affordable native tree seedlings that are geographically suitable for the state’s diverse forestlands,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “By offering seedlings in different quantities, the program can help customers of all sizes whether the need is as few as 10 seedlings, or as many as several thousand. The annual seedling sale is just another way that the forest service strives to keep North Carolina’s woodlands healthy, growing and thriving.”
The program offers quality conifer and hardwood seedlings. 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.
Seedlings can be ordered at buynctrees.com, by calling 919.731.7988 or by using the order form in the seedling catalog and sending it to Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530. A user-friendly online catalog will soon be available at ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/nursery-tree-improvement-program. Seedling catalogs will also be available at local NCFS offices beginning in July.
Most containerized seedlings are available and used November 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.