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.
Nursery Updates
Our new inventory will be available after August 1st. If we do not have what you need, please contact the nursery for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 planting. Our seedlings CANNOT be used for ornamental, landscaping or other purposes. Please contact your local retail nursery for these seedlings.
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, 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. 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 in scheduled for most counties and the drop point is either a locat Conservation District, Extension Service office, or a DNRC office. To unsure 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.
