State nurseries provide seedlings for landowners

If you are looking for seedlings for reforestation projects, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection can help. Two nurseries, the L.A. Moran Reforestation Center and the Magalia Reforestation Center, exist to help small private landowners at a reasonable cost.

The Moran Center, near Davis, has containerized seedlings (grown in small pots) while the Magalia Nursery carries bareroot stock (seedlings taken out of the ground). Each nursery has its own catalog and mailing list.

In addition to seedlings, both these nurseries offer lots of expert advice and information. There are handouts on seedling protection, planting and a variety of related topics. And if they don't have what you need, they can help you find it.

The state nurseries sell tree planting stock only for the following purposes:

• reforestation
• erosion control and watershed protection
• farm windbreaks
• cut Christmas trees on private lands
• fuel wood on private lands
• reforestation on public lands

Trees for landscaping or beautification projects must be purchased from private nurseries. The CDF nurseries will also provide a listing of private nurseries for seedlings and seeds.

Seedlings are available on October 15 at the Moran Center and in December at Magalia (the trees cannot be lifted out of the ground until they are in dormancy).

Trees are sold in minimum quantities of 50/species for containerized stock and 100/species for bareroot. It's important to put in your order for the entire season as early as possible since many species do sell out. Once you reserve your trees with payment, you're set. You can take possession of the seedlings as you need them; the nursery workers will babysit your trees until you're ready to plant.

Order forms, planting and other nursery information is now available on the CDF website at www.fire.ca.gov/ResourceManagement/StateNurseries.asp.

L.A. Moran Reforestation Center
5800 Chiles Road
PO Box 1590
Davis, CA 95617
(530) 753-2441

Magalia Reforestation Center
640 Steiffer Road
Magalia 95954
(530) 873-0400