Ohio DNR · Division of Forestry
Growing Ohio's Future Forests
The Buckeye State Tree Nursery grows trees and shrubs from Ohio seed sources for reforestation, wildlife habitat, windbreaks, and conservation plantings across the state.
34
Native species
987,000+
Seeds planted
88
Ohio counties served
Fall 2026 ordering is open — place orders through Dec 1, 2026.
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From the nursery
- Conservation projectThe White Oak InitiativeThe White Oak Initiative is a collaborative effort focused on ensuring the long-term survival and sustainability of white oak forests across the eastern United States. White oak plays a vital ecological role, supporting hundreds of wildlife species and contributing to healthy forest structure and diversity. However, many white oak stands are aging, and inadequate regeneration threatens their future. The initiative brings together public agencies, private landowners, conservation organizations, and forest industry partners to raise awareness of these challenges and promote science-based strategies for restoring healthy white oak populations. A major goal of the White Oak Initiative is to improve forest management practices that support natural regeneration. White oak seedlings and saplings often struggle to compete with faster-growing species, which means that targeted thinning, prescribed fire, and other active management techniques are needed. By offering guidance, tools, and educational resources, the initiative helps landowners and forest managers understand when and how to implement these practices. Such efforts ensure that younger generations of white oak can establish, grow, and eventually replace the aging trees that currently dominate many landscapes. Beyond ecological benefits, the White Oak Initiative also highlights the cultural and economic importance of white oak. The species is essential for traditional wood products, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and even industries such as cooperage, where white oak is prized for barrel-making. Through coordinated research, outreach, and on-the-ground action, the initiative works to secure a resilient future for white oak forests, ensuring they continue to enrich natural ecosystems and support communities for generations to come.
- Conservation projectMine Land ReclamationHistorically, the vast majority of Ohio's mine land was returned to pasture — not to forests — largely because successful reforestation has been difficult to achieve. Typically, once an area has been mined, soils are left compacted, severely limiting the ability of tree seedlings to grow and survive when traditional planting methods are used. Ohio's representatives to the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI), a cooperative effort that encourages reforestation on reclaimed coal mines in the Eastern United States, are working with ODNR's mining regulators to reevaluate mining and reclamation methods in order to promote tree planting. Reevaluation has allowed mine operators to reclaim mine sites without compacting soil and to benefit from cost-effective regulatory compliance. Through the willingness of landowners and the cooperation of mine operators, the FRA creates productive forests that generate value for landowners and provide watershed protection, wildlife habitat and other environmental services. 5 Steps of the Forestry Reclamation Approach Create a suitable rooting medium for good tree growth that is no less than 4 feet deep and comprised of topsoil, weathered sandstone, and/or the best available material. Loosely grade the topsoil or topsoil substitutes established in step one to create a non-compacted growth medium. Use ground covers that are compatible with growing trees. Plant two types of trees: one for early succession species for wildlife and soil stability, and another for a commercially valuable crop. Use proper tree planting techniques.
- Conservation projectNorthwest Ohio Windbreak ProgramWith fewer fence rows and woodlots and less fall tillage, Ohio farms lose more and more soil due to wind. Adding to the problem in northwestern Ohio are sandy soils that are very susceptible to wind erosion. The Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program is an inter-agency effort to assist landowners in establishing field windbreaks. The program is available in 17 counties: Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot. The Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program is a full service program. Assistance available to the landowner includes an on-site inspection, windbreak design and help in completing the application. In the spring, a pre-emergent herbicide is applied and the seedlings planted. In the fall, the planting is inspected and a second herbicide application is made. Replacement seedlings are provided the following spring to the landowner to replant dead seedlings. Contact your local NRCS/SWCD office or ODNR district office in Findlay to apply for a windbreak. A district technician or the private lands biologist can meet with you to determine eligibility and help develop a planting plan that insures a successful windbreak. Planting is done in early spring by the ODNR Division of Forestry, so it is best to contact them in the summer or fall and plan ahead for next year’s spring planting season.