Virginia Department
of Forestry

Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has been growing seedlings for Virginia landowners for more than 100 years. When you put your money in the ground in the form of seedlings, you need to start with the best stock available; stock suited for Virginia soils and climate. The cultural practices that we use in growing seedlings in our seedbeds are based on more than 60 years of research and experience in quality production. In addition to the wide selection of more than 40 species of bare-root seedlings, we also offer specialty seedling packs suitable for various wildlife habitats, and now offer containerized longleaf and shortleaf pine.

Our bare-root seedlings are sold directly from the seedbed without replanting, and seedling age is indicated with 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 (one-, two- and three-year-old). We offer a variety of pine and spruce species, as well as dozens of hardwood varieties, used to establish timber stands, pulpwood crops, Christmas tree plantations, wildlife habitats, stream bank stabilization, urban forests, biodiversity, and improvement of watersheds. Pine and hardwood seed are sown at our two nurseries and grown one to three years in the seedbeds before lifting.

Seedlings are lifted during winter dormancy, visually inspected, harvested, hand-graded, labeled, and packaged for delivery. Many of our hardwood species are grown from acorns and seeds collected by volunteers and donated to our nurseries. Virginia-grown seed generally produces trees that will grow well in our state.

Read more about why Virginia trees are best for Virginia land.

Learn how you can help with acorn and nut collection.

Bare-Root Seedlings

Most of VDOF nursery stock are bare-root seedlings. The best time to plant bare-root seedlings in Virginia is February to March because of cold weather. Seedlings are typically available for pickup or shipped from January to April, weather depending.

Containerized Seedlings

Many landowners across Virginia are starting to look for ways to accelerate early growth in their pine plantations and containerized seedlings may be a great way to do that. Container seedlings grow at a rapid pace when planted at the correct time. However, container seedlings are best planted in the fall and the overall planting window is much more extended. All container seedlings will be packaged by November 1 and will need to be picked up by mid-December.

Seedlings for a Specific Purpose

VDOF nurseries grow a variety of pine, spruce, and hardwood tree species to meet the needs of Virginians. It is important to identify what your goal is when choosing seedling species, such as growing trees for beauty, wildlife, water quality protection, profit, or some other goal. You can choose specific species or choose from our custom seedling packs combining specific species to meet common goals, such as a fall color pack, pollinator pack, quail habitat pack, riparian buffer seedling pack, and wildlife seedling pack.

VDOF nurseries also grow diminished species, longleaf pine and shortleaf pine, to aid in restoration efforts.

Read more about diminished species production.

Buy Virginia Tree Seedlings

• Buy seedlings on our on-line Seedling Store.
• Read how to place tax-exempt seedling orders.
• Read how to place reforestation seedling orders.

Education

Portions of the land and the physical facilities at the nurseries are used to educate and inform the public, for research by state and private universities, and for outdoor learning opportunities for school groups to supplement the science curriculum and for kids to study nature.

• View a pictorial tour of nursery operations.
• Read more about the tools of the trade.
• Read more about the history of VDOF nurseries.

Additional Resources

Contact Us

For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.