Preliminary Seedling Availability From The Wisconsin DNR Reforestation Program For Spring 2027 Planting
Wisconsin DNR
Proper tree planting requires a lot of decision making. One of the more crucial decisions to make is which species and ages are the most appropriate and cost-effective to plant on a property. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reforestation Program is taking some of the unknowns out of that process by giving landowners and property managers an early peek at the seedlings we anticipate having available in fall 2026 for planting in spring 2027.
This list is preliminary, as some species may be added, adjusted or removed depending on health, growth and other factors as the 2026 growing season progresses.
The listed tree and shrub seedlings will be available to purchase starting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Though we expect high demand, we anticipate having a variety of species and ages available to all customers.
The quantity designations listed below are relative to particular species based on historical sales and projected demand. For example, our anticipated demand for white cedar 3-0 is about 80,000 seedlings. In 2027, the available quantity will be approximately 60% of the anticipated need, making the quantity available “limited.” In contrast, our combined quantities of 1-0 and 2-0 black cherry are almost 70,000 seedlings. The anticipated demand is the same, making that seedling quantity ”adequate.” Regardless, the Reforestation Program always encourages landowners to contact a local forester to discuss a tree planting plan. A well-crafted and meticulously followed plan can make the odds of success much higher.
| Species |
Quantity |
|
Species |
Quantity |
| Aspen |
Limited |
|
Elm, American 1-0 |
Very Limited |
| Basswood |
Adequate |
|
Fir, Balsam 3-0 |
Adequate |
| Birch, River 2-0 |
Adequate |
|
Hackberry 1-0 |
Adequate |
| Birch, White 1-0 |
Adequate |
|
Hackberry 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Birch, Yellow 1-0 |
Adequate |
|
Hawthorn |
Adequate |
| Butternut |
Limited |
|
Hazelnut, American |
Adequate |
| Buttonbush |
Adequate |
|
Hickory, Bitternut 2-0 |
Limited |
| Cedar, White 3-0 |
Limited |
|
Juneberry |
Limited |
| Cherry, Black 1-0 |
Adequate |
|
Maple, Silver 1-0 |
Limited |
| Cherry, Black 2-0 |
Adequate |
|
Maple, Silver 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Cherry, Choke |
Adequate |
|
Maple, Hard 2-0 |
Limited |
| Chokeberry (Aronia) |
Limited |
|
Ninebark |
Adequate |
| Crabapple, Prairie |
Very Limited |
|
Oak, Bur 1-0 |
Limited |
| Cranberry, Highbush |
Adequate |
|
Oak, Bur 2-0 |
Very Limited |
| Dogwood, Grey |
Limited |
|
Oak, Red 1-0 |
Adequate |
| Dogwood, Red-osier |
Adequate |
|
Oak, Red 2-0 |
Very Limited |
| Dogwood, Silky |
Adequate |
|
Oak, Southern pin 2-0 |
Very Limited |
| Oak, White 1-0 |
Limited |
|
Oak, Swamp white 1-0 |
Limited |
| Pine, Jack 1-0 |
Adequate |
|
Spruce, Black 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Pine, Jack 2-0 |
Limited |
|
Spruce, Black 3-0 |
Adequate |
| Pine, Red 2-0 |
Adequate |
|
Spruce, White 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Pine, Red 3-0 |
Very Limited |
|
Spruce, White 3-0 |
Adequate |
| Pine, White 2-0 |
Adequate |
|
Sycamore 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Pine, White 3-0 |
Limited |
|
Tamarack 2-0 |
Adequate |
| Plum, Wild |
Adequate |
|
Walnut, Black |
Adequate |
Several species, including Canadian hemlock, red maple, elderberry and most 2-0 oaks are either severely limited or not available for spring 2027 due to a lack of available tree seed, challenges during the growing season and freezing winter conditions in 2025/26, or the seedlings did not meet our stringent sales requirements.
If your planting project includes a species of tree not listed above, you can likely find seedlings from private nurseries throughout the state. Find a list of these nurseries on our Bare Root Reforestation Nurseries webpage.
More updates will follow as October approaches. If you have questions regarding tree seedling availability or anything related to reforestation, please contact the Reforestation program staff.
Griffith Nursery – 715-424-3700
Hayward Nursery – 715-492-1204
Wilson Nursery – 608-375-4123 |
