Ohioans looking to plant a buckeye, pawpaw, American chestnut or dozens of other native trees and shrubs now have a new way to buy seedlings grown right here in the state. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has launched an online ordering system for the Buckeye State Tree Nursery, giving landowners, conservation groups and other customers direct access to nursery-grown seedlings.
Customers can browse available species and place orders at nursery.ohiodnr.gov, then choose either pickup at the nursery in Zanesville or direct shipment.
From Ohio Seed to Ohio Soil
The Buckeye State Tree Nursery was created to expand the supply of locally grown seedlings for conservation projects throughout Ohio.
“The Buckeye State Tree Nursery was created to make more Ohio-grown trees available for conservation tree planting projects, and this new website makes it much easier for landowners and organizations to be part of that effort,” Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said.
“Whether someone is restoring a woodland, creating wildlife habitat, establishing a windbreak, or simply adding trees to their property, they can now easily purchase seedlings grown right here in Ohio.”
That local connection is an important part of the nursery’s mission. Seeds collected in Ohio produce trees adapted to the state’s climate and growing conditions, while also helping provide a dependable supply of planting stock for future conservation work.
More Than 750,000 Seedlings Already Planted
Although the online ordering system is new, the nursery itself has already been operating on a substantial scale. Nursery staff planted more than 750,000 seedlings during the facility’s first two growing seasons, representing more than 30 native tree and shrub species. Those seedlings are intended for far more than backyard landscaping.
Trees produced at the nursery have been used for reforestation, wildlife habitat projects, windbreaks, state forests, nature preserves and restoration of abandoned mine lands. Private landowners can also use the seedlings for woodland restoration, erosion control, habitat improvements or simply to establish more native trees on their property.
Small Orders Welcome
The online system also opens the nursery to customers who may not need trees on the scale of a major conservation project. The minimum purchase is 10 seedlings, making the program accessible for relatively small planting efforts as well as larger projects. Available varieties and quantities will change throughout the year depending on nursery inventory.
Among the native species Ohioans may encounter are some of the state’s most recognizable trees, including Ohio buckeye and pawpaw, along with species such as American chestnut that carry particular significance in forest restoration.
Growing Ohio’s Next Generation of Trees
ODNR says the nursery is intended to strengthen Ohio’s long-term conservation efforts by ensuring that native planting stock remains available for both public and private projects. With the online ordering system, that supply is now easier for Ohioans to reach. Customers can browse current seedling availability, place orders and select shipping or nursery pickup at nursery.ohiodnr.gov.
Source: ODNR; Image by AVAKA photo from Pixabay