Tree Planting_Content Page_Stock Description

Nursery Seedling Stock Descriptions

The Wisconsin DNR’s Reforestation Program nursery grades and sells trees by age class. Trees are graded, using minimum size specification selected for each species, with the stem and root quality taken into consideration. Because of this, seedling size can be quite variable for some species. The minimum size for each species/age class is the smallest seedling deemed by reforestation staff to have a high probability of surviving and thriving after planting. In addition, some conifer, hardwood and shrub species are top-cut to approximately 14 inches in height to improve root-top ratios and facilitate shipping and handling.

Conifers
Species Age Min. Ht. (in.) Avg Ht. (in.) Ht. Range (in.) Min. Caliper (in.) Avg Caliper (in.) Beginning Inventory Status Narrative
Cedar, White 3-0 5 15 5-24 5/64 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, variably sized, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for machine planting.
Fir, Balsam 3-0 5 7 5-10 5/64 3/16 Very limited Vigorous, variably sized, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting.
Pine, Jack 1-0 4 7 4-10 5/64 1/8 Adequate Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand planting.
Pine, Jack 2-0 8 12 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for machine or hand planting.
Pine, Red 2-0 5 8 5-10 5/64 3/16 Limited Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand planting.
Pine, Red 3-0 8 12 8-14 3/32 1/4 Adequate Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for machine planting.
Pine, White 2-0 4 7 4-10 5/64 1/8 Limited Vigorous, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand planting.
Pine, White 3-0 8 15 8-20 3/32 1/4 Limited Vigorous, variably sized. Ideal for machine planting.
Spruce, Black 2-0 5 10 5-16 5/64 3/32 Adequate Vigorous, variably sized. Ideal for hand planting.
Spruce, Black 3-0 8 18 8-24 3/32 1/4 Very limited Vigorous, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for machine planting.
Spruce, White 2-0 5 8 5-16 5/64 1/8 Adequate Vigorous, variably sized, sturdy seedlings. Ideal for hand planting.
Spruce, White 3-0 8 15 8-24 3/32 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, variably sized, well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting.
Tamarack 2-0 6 18 6-24 5/64 3/16 Adequate Variable sized. Ideal for hand or machine planting.
Hardwoods
Species Age Min. Ht. (in.) Avg Ht. (in.) Ht. Range (in.) Min. Caliper (in.) Avg Caliper (in.) Beginning Inventory Status Narrative
Aspen spp. Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/4 Limited Root pruned to 8 inches. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Basswood, American Sdl 6 12 6-14 1/8 5/16 Very limited Variable sized. Ideal for machine planting. Top cut.
Birch, River 1-0 8 12 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Well-balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Birch, White 1-0 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/4 Very limited Highly variable sized seedlings. Best for machine planting but can hand plant with care. Top cut.
Birch, Yellow Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Very limited Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Butternut Sdl 8 14 10-14 1/4 1/4 Limited Large, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Top cut. Forest-run seed with no proven disease resistance.
Cherry, Black 1-0 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Variable sized, vigorous seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Cherry, Black 2-0 10 14 10-14 3/16 1/4 Adequate Variably sized. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Elm, American 1-0 8 14 10-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Vigorous. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut. Forest-run seed with no proven disease resistance.
Hackberry 1-0 6 12 6-16 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, sturdy, well balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand planting.
Hickory, Bitternut 2-0 5 12 5-14 1/8 3/16 Very limited Sturdy seedlings with strong taproot. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Maple, Silver 1-0 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/8 Limited Vigorous, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for machine planting.
Maple, Sugar 2-0 6 14 6-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Variably sized. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, Bur 1-0 6 10 6-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Vigorous, variably sized, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand planting. Top cut.
Oak, Bur 2-0 10 14 10-14 3/16 1/4 Very limited Variably sized. Ideal for machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, Red 1-0 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, well rooted seedling. Ideal for hand planting. Top cut.
Oak, Red 2-0 10 14 10-14 3/16 1/4 Very limited Sturdy seedling, ideal for machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, Southern pin 1-0 8 12 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Vigorous, well-balanced seedling. Ideal for hand planting.
Oak, Southern pin 2-0 10 14 10-14 3/16 3/16 Adequate Well-balanced seedling. Ideal for hand or machine planting.
Oak, Swamp white 1-0 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, sturdy, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, Swamp white 2-0 10 14 10-14 3/16 1/4 Very limited Well balanced, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, White 1-0 6 12 10-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Well balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Oak, White 2-0 10 13 10-14 3/16 3/16 Limited Variably sized, vigorous seedlings. Ideal for machine planting. Top cut.
Sycamore 1-0 8 14 10-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Vigorous seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Walnut, Black Sdl 10 14 10-14 1/4 1/4 Adequate Well rooted seedlings. Ideal for machine planting but can hand plant with care. Top cut.
Shrubs
Species Age Min. Ht. (in.) Avg Ht. (in.) Ht. Range (in.) Min. Caliper (in.) Avg Caliper (in.) Beginning Inventory Status Narrative
Buttonbush Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Excellent pollen producer. Top cut.
Choke cherry Sdl 8 12 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Variably sized seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Cranberry, Highbush Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/4 Limited Well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Dogwood, Red osier Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Variably sized, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Dogwood, Silky Sdl 8 13 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Elderberry, Common Sdl 6 12 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Vigorous, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Hawthorn Sdl 8 12 8-14 1/8 1/8 Limited Well balanced seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Hazelnut, American Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Adequate Well balanced, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Ninebark Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/8 Limited Vigorous, well rooted seedlings. Many multi-stemmed. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Plum, American Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 1/8 Adequate Variably sized, well rooted seedlings. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.
Winterberry Sdl 8 14 8-14 1/8 3/16 Very limited Very well rooted, sturdy seedlings. Many multi-stemmed. Ideal for hand or machine planting. Top cut.

Definitions

Age
  • 1-0: Planted as seed, harvested after one season of growth
  • 2-0: Planted as seed, harvested after two seasons of growth
  • 3-0: Planted as seed, harvested after three seasons of growth
  • Sdl: Mixture of 1-0 and 2-0 seedlings
Beginning Inventory Status
  • Seedling inventories as of the first day of ordering; first Monday in October.
Inventory
  • Adequate: Greater than 75% of projected demand
  • Limited: Between 50% and 75% of projected demand
  • Very limited: Less than 50% of projected demand
Narrative Terms
  • Caliper: Diameter of a seedling's stem at ground level
  • Sturdy: Caliper larger than typical for specific species
  • Variable: Wide-ranging
  • Vigorous: Nutrient loaded seedling
  • Well balanced: Equal sized roots and tops
  • Well rooted: Well developed tap and/or feeder and fine roots with ample root hairs