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Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery
Welcome to the Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery (MCSN)! The MCSN produces tree and shrub seedlings for use in various conservation projects. Our goal is to produce and distribute, at a nominal cost, quality seedlings for non-ornamental conservation plantings in rural Montana.
Our 2012 inventory is now available (see below). Our catalog is not fully updated so please refer to the Inventory page for the latest information. If you are ready to place an order for next year contact Lindsay at (406) 542-4244 or send an email to mtnursery@mt.gov and she will assist you and confirm availability.
Nursery Updates
The spring 2012 inventory and price list is now available. Bareroot seedlings are only available for spring planting. Most containerized seedlings are available for shipment this fall. Contact the nursery for exact availability. We have large inventories of most species and have American plum, “Centennial” cotoneaster and serviceberry for next spring.
How To Order
The Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery, in cooperation with the Montana Extension Service, local Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, offers low cost tree and shrub seedlings for use in conservation plantings. Complete the printable order form (2 pages) and mail to the nursery, along with the required deposit, or you may place your order using our online shopping cart, to reserve seedlings for next planting season. Only containerized seedlings can be received in the fall. Seedlings are sold on a first come, first serve basis, SO ORDER EARLY! Go to our complete Inventory page or Catalog for species availability and prices. Prices are based on the quantity of each species ordered. The more you order the cheaper the price.
Orders from landowners with 10 or more acres will be given priority before March 1st. Landowners with less than 10 acres (non-program) can place their orders anytime, but these orders will not be processed until March 1st, pending species availability. The minimum order is 250 seedlings for new plantings. When ordering solely 100 cu. in. seedlings the minimum order is 40. Order deciduous trees and shrubs in lots of 50 and conifers and containerized stock in lots of 25. The 100 cubic inch container seedlings must be ordered in multiples of 8. When replacing seedlings from a previous nursery order, the minimum order is a single lot (50 deciduous, 25 conifers).
A conservation planting plan must be completled and approved. A planting plan form is located on the second page of the order form. Click here for that form. Be specific, the plan must show how the planting is a conservation practice. Include such items as species, spacing between seedlings, spacing between rows, distances from buildings and roads, and direction of prevailing winds. It is recommended that the plan be approved by your local County Extension Agent or Conservation District personnel.
Seedlings can be received by one of three methods: 1) pick up at the nursery in Missoula, 2) ship directly to you via FedEx, or 3) pick up at a single drop point in most Montana counties in the spring. In April, one delivery date is scheduled for most counties and the drop point is either a local Conservation District, Extension Service office, or a DNRC office. To ensure free delivery to your county by state truck the order must be received by March 15. These delivery schedules are not set until March each year. FedEx shipping is available at any time in the spring for an additional 15% charge.
