The N.C. Forest Service’s annual seedling sale starts July 1, with orders being accepted for native and genetically improved tree varieties. Interested landowners are encouraged to shop early for the best availability.

• The N.C. Forest Service’s popular  Seedling Sale starts today, so if you are in the market for high quality trees – a few or a lot – you will want to check out the online catalogue for more information and place your order soon.
  
• The seedling sale sells out every year. (Say that three times fast!)

• And, that’s even though the Nursery Program produces around 10 million seedlings each year or enough to plant around 18,700 acres.

• The quality of the seedlings speak for itself, and I am sure that quality plus affordability is what draws buyers back.  

• The seedlings are developed to have better overall growth and other desired characteristics to produce beautiful Christmas trees, quality forest products and healthy woodlands.

• We are talking about things like volume growth, tree form, disease resistance and straightness.

• Your listeners may recall we talked about this seedling sale about this time last year.

• I always try to remind folks when the sale begins because that’s when you will find the very best selection, including quality conifer and hardwood seedlings in a range of quantities.

• We also offer genetically improved stock for Fraser fir, loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, Eastern white pine and Virginia pine. Altogether, there are over 40 tree species offered.

• The seedlings are produced at the Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro and the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.

• Customers who want to know more about specific tree species and available inventory can speak with Forest Service nursery staff, or check out the ordering website or seedling catalogs.

• You can find information and order at www.buynctrees.com.

• Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337) or 919-731-7988.
  
• Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form in the 25-26 Nursery Seedling Catalog.

• Just complete the form and follow the mailing instructions. You can find a link to all this information and the form on our homepage at www.ncagr.gov.

• Seedlings will be distributed later this year closer to planting time, which is typically October through March for most containerized seedlings and January through March for most bare root seedlings.

• Go check them out.