DEC operates the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery, which produces tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings on public and private lands. Native New York seed sources are used when available. The nursery's annual spring seedling sale is open to all interested customers in New York and bordering states.
DEC operates the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery, which produces tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings on public and private lands. Native New York seed sources are used when available. The nursery's annual spring seedling sale is open to all interested customers in New York and bordering states.
See the Species Available section below for the list of species that are available this year, as well as their size and cost. This information can also be found in the 2025 Trees and Shrubs Brochure (PDF). Note: The PDF does not include updates as the species are sold out.
Before ordering, view the Nursery Catalog (PDF) for species descriptions and preferred site conditions, and consider specific space requirements for each type of tree:
| Species | Spacing in Feet | Trees/Acre |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | 6 x 6 | 1,210 |
| Conifer | 8 x 8 | 680 |
| Hardwood | 12 x 12 | 300 |
How to Order
The seedling sale runs from January 2, 2025 through May 14, 2025. All orders are filled in the order received. Some species sell out quickly, so order early.
Please note: Orders will only be taken by phone this year as updates are being made to the nursery’s systems. Please call (518) 587-1120 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
An invoice will be sent to you via mail or e-mail, which must be signed and returned within 10 days along with a check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH. We do not accept credit cards at this time.
Getting Your Seedlings
Seedlings are shipped/available for pick-up mid-April through early May; the exact timeframe will be dependent on the weather. You will be notified by mail/email when your order is ready.
Please choose one of the following shipping/pick-up options when you place your order:
- In-person: Pick up your order at the Saratoga Tree Nursery, located just south of Saratoga Springs on Route 50, approximately 30 miles north of Albany.
- Designated pick-up: For a fee, seedlings are shipped to specific location, like DEC regional offices, where customers can pick up their orders. Dates and locations are determined in early April. Do not choose this option if you need delivery by or on a specific date. Orders must be placed by March 27, 2024 for this option.
- FedEx Delivery: Fee per order: $25.00, or $5.00 plus 20% of the total bill, whichever is higher. (The Nursery is not responsible for the condition of seedlings once they have left the Nursery.)
Orders placed after May 1 must be picked up at the Nursery.
Seedlings should be planted as soon as possible. Until planted, keep seedlings cool and out of direct sunlight. Do not let roots dry out.
For technical advice on your planting project, contact your regional forestry office, or call the Nursery office at (518) 581-1439, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
Species Available
Available for the spring 2025 sale only.
*2-unit limit for varieties only available in units of 25*
Bareroot Stock
Bareroot Stock Conifers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Minimum Height | Cost per unit | Availability |
| Eastern red cedar | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Northern white cedar | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Balsam fir | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Douglas fir | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Japanese larch | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Jack pine | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Red pine | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| White pine | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Norway spruce | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| White spruce | 5" | 25/$25 only | Available |
Bareroot Stock Hardwoods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Height | Cost per unit | Availability |
| River birch | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| Black cherry | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | Available |
| American hazelnut | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| Red maple | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Silver maple | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| Bear oak | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| Burr oak | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | Available |
| Red oak | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| White oak | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Hybrid poplar | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| American sweetgum | 5"-14" | 25/$30, 100/$80 | Available |
| Sycamore | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | Available |
| Black walnut | 5"-14" | 25/$30 only* | Available |
Bareroot Stock Shrubs/Small Trees for Wildlife Habitat | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Height | Cost per unit | Availability |
| Northern bayberry | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Sand cherry | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Black chokeberry | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| American highbush cranberry | 5" | 25/$25 only* | Available |
| Virginia creeper | 5" | 25/$25 only* | Available |
| Red osier dogwood | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Silky dogwood | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Wild grape | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Bristly locust | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Ninebark | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| American plum | 5" | 25/$25 only* | SOLD OUT |
| Beach plum | 5" | 25/$25 only* | Available |
| Virginia rose | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Wetland rose | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Winged sumac | 5" | 25/$25 only* | Available |
| Prairie willow | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Pussy willow | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Sandbar willow | 5" | 25/$25 only* | Available |
| Streamco willow | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Winterberry | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
| Witch hazel | 5" | 25/$25, 100/$75 | Available |
Containerized Stock (Plugs)
Containerized Stock Conifers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Minimum Height | Cost per unit | Availability |
| Blue spruce | 6" | 50/$55 | SOLD OUT |
Mixed Species Packets
The nursery reserves the right to make species substitutions of their choice when necessary.
Mixed Species Packets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packet Name | # species each/ Total # of plants | List of Species | Cost | Availability |
| Pollinator Packet #1 | 25 each/100 plants | black chokeberry, highbush cranberry, silky dogwood, Virginia rose | $80 | Available |
| Wildlife Habitat Packet #2 | 10 each/30 plants | highbush cranberry, silky dogwood, ninebark | $35 | Available |
| Long Island Packet #3A | 10 each/30 plants | northern bayberry, bear oak, Virginia rose | $35 | Available |
| Riparian Packet #4 | 25 each/100 plants | red oak, hybrid poplar, Streamco willow, winterberry | $80 | Available |
| Ruffed Grouse Packet #6 | 10 each/60 plants | speckled alder, river birch, red osier dogwood, winged sumac, pussy willow, witch hazel | $80 | Available |
