Each year, the Nursery produces about 1.2 million seedlings of more than 50 different tree and shrub species. It maintains more than 150 acres of seed production areas and orchards across the state. By using local seed collected from around New York State, Nursery trees and shrubs are hardy and adapted to our state's climatic condition.
As a critical contributor to New York’s seedling supply, the Nursery is undergoing a holistic revitalization, with hopes of fully modernizing the facility and significantly scale up production capacity to contribute to the State’s goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033. In order to reach these ambitious goals, the Nursery is undergoing a modernization process including infrastructure changes, which will increase the annual production from 1.2 to 6 million seedlings. Additional planned improvements include the construction of a protective fence, upgrades to irrigation and water storage systems, reclamation of fallow fields, building restoration and consolidation, and equipment upgrades.
Spring Seedling Sale
The Nursery offers an annual spring seedling sale each January through May where the public can buy tree and shrub seedlings for a low cost. Consider buying New York-grown seedlings produced from local seed sources - it's an investment for your property that will pay off in healthier, stronger trees and shrubs for our future.
Cone and Fruit Collection
The DEC Tree Nursery is looking for seeds from certain tree species that will be used to grow trees and shrubs in New York State. The harvesting season generally beings in late summer and ends in fall. Harvesters are paid for cones and seeds by the bushel, with each species having a different price. Learn more about the species needed, ripening dates, and price paid for bushel.