Tree Planting & Improvement Programs
For a century, we have provided Texas with seedlings from state nurseries.
Seed for these nurseries was originally provided from forest stands harvested in the region but now come from seed orchards established with trees selected for growth, form, and disease resistance as our tree improvement programs developed.
Tree improvement is a scientific process using the ages-old practices of breeding and testing to create seed with a purpose. We have been using these practices since 1951 to create seed orchards to meet the reforestation needs of Texans.
From large-scale industrial forests to urban plantings to Christmas trees, we have been leaders in ensuring Texans have access to the hardiest planting stock needed to meet their needs.
Tree improvement programs
Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program
Our pine tree improvement program, the oldest in the South, was so innovative that state and commercial forest industry organizations all wanted to be a part. In 1969 this relationship was formalized into the Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program, focusing on improvement of the four southern pines and several plantation hardwood species.
Urban Tree Improvement Program
To combat the high losses observed in street trees sourced from outside of Texas, our Urban Tree Improvement Program was born in 1973. Various municipalities and large commercial growers collaboratively tested selections from nine distinct species and has given rise to our Texas Tested Texas Tough seed orchards.
Virginia Pine Tree Improvement Program
The growing and marketing of Christmas trees is a substantial industry in Texas. A cooperative program for genetic improvement of Virginia pine, established in 1981 between us and the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association (TCTGA), is a significant part of this industry. Together through an active breeding and selection program, we ensure that TCTGA members have access to high-quality genetically improved seedlings provided from seed from our seed orchard.
Seedling nurseries
The first forest tree nursery in Texas was established in 1926 at State Forest No. 1, now known as the Siecke State Forest, in Jasper County. Longleaf and slash pine seedlings were produced in this one-acre nursery.
A second nursery was established in Montgomery County at State Forest No. 2, now known as the Jones State Forest, in 1928 and expanded in 1929 to produce 300,000 seedlings. Both facilities supplied seedlings at a cost of $3 per thousand to farmers and other landowners as an incentive to reforest cutover lands.
West Texas Nursery
Today the only remaining state-operated seedling nursery is the West Texas Nursery near Lubbock. Serving West and Central Texas seedling needs, conifer and hardwood seedlings are grown for purchase through our seedling store, including seedlings provided as part of our Central Texas Recovery and Restoration Program. Custom growing contracts are also available.
Forest science laboratory
An additional growing operation is located on the Texas A&M University campus. This operation supports internal seedling needs, including those for Texas Arbor Day.
East Texas seedling vendors
| Vendor | Location | Product(s) | Types | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArborGen | Bullard, TX | Seedlings | pine, oak, bareroot, container | Visit ArborGen |
| ArborGen | Jasper, TX | Seedlings | pine, oak, bareroot, container | Visit ArborGen |
| Arkansas Forestry Commission | North Little Rock, AR | Seedlings | bareroot pine, hardwood | Visit Arkansas Forestry Commission |
| PRT/IFCO Seedlings | DeRiddler, LA | Seedlings | Pine container | Visit PRT/IFCO Seedlings |
| Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Forestry | Goldsby, OK | Seedlings | conifer, hardwood, bareroot, container | Visit Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry |
| Louisiana Forest Seed Company | Lecompte, LA | Seed | conifer, hardwood | Visit Louisiana Forest Seed Company |
Seed orchards
Magnolia Springs Seed Orchard Complex
The Magnolia Springs seed orchard complex, located near Kirbyville in Jasper County, contains loblolly, slash, longleaf, shortleaf, and Virginia pine seed orchards. Originally established to provide genetically improved seed to the Indian Mound Nursery, we continue to support regional reforestation efforts by making all but the Virginia pine orchard available for lease. Contact [email protected] for more information.
The older orchards are being phased out and replaced with longleaf pine orchards, mostly for preservation purposes. These orchards will also be leased once they become reproductively mature. The Virginia pine seed orchard has been established and expanded to support Christmas tree growers belonging to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.
Hudson Seed Orchard Complex
The Hudson seed orchard complex in Angelina County contains genetically improved hardwood seed orchards supporting our plantation hardwood program as well as our urban tree improvement program. Additional orchards are located near Weeping Mary in Cherokee County and on the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research Station in Burleson County. Seed from these orchards are used to grow seedlings for Texas Arbor Day and provided to our Texas Tested, Texas Tough seedling partners.