Plant the Right Tree Seedlings
Webster Forest Nursery
The following species are commonly available to purchase in one or more stock types from Webster Forest Nursery. Be sure to check the Prices and Availability page before ordering, as our inventory changes each year.
Seedling Species Types
Available from Webster Forest Nursery
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
One of the most common trees of the Pacific Northwest, the Douglas-fir traditionally provided wood for dowels, arrows, firewood, and medicines for Indigenous peoples. Its Latin name honors Arthur Menzies, who observed it on Vancouver Island when he accompanied the British naval captain George Vancouver on an expedition to the Pacific Coast in the early 1790s. Douglas-fir is a dimorphic species with two more or less distinct forms. One of these is restricted to the forests of the Pacific slope and the other to those of the Rocky Mountain region. Douglas-fir comprises about 50 percent of the standing timber in the western forests. It produces more timber than any other American species. Trees in old-growth forests average 180 to 250 feet in height and 4 to 6 feet in diameter and feature bare lower stems and complex epicormic branching in their crowns. Under favorable conditions, trees 10 years of age may be 12 to 15 feet in height and up to 6 inches in diameter. The trees are found in a variety of soils but grow best in deep, rich, well-drained, porous loams in areas with abundant atmospheric moisture.
One of the most common trees of the Pacific Northwest, the Douglas-fir traditionally provided wood for dowels, arrows, firewood, and medicines for Indigenous peoples. Its Latin name honors Arthur Menzies, who observed it on Vancouver Island when he accompanied the British naval captain George Vancouver on an expedition to the Pacific Coast in the early 1790s. Douglas-fir is a dimorphic species with two more or less distinct forms. One of these is restricted to the forests of the Pacific slope and the other to those of the Rocky Mountain region. Douglas-fir comprises about 50 percent of the standing timber in the western forests. It produces more timber than any other American species. Trees in old-growth forests average 180 to 250 feet in height and 4 to 6 feet in diameter and feature bare lower stems and complex epicormic branching in their crowns. Under favorable conditions, trees 10 years of age may be 12 to 15 feet in height and up to 6 inches in diameter. The trees are found in a variety of soils but grow best in deep, rich, well-drained, porous loams in areas with abundant atmospheric moisture.Grand Fir (Abies grandis)
This species is noted for the two distinct sizes of its needles: The ones on the upper side are shorter than those from underneath. Trees in the coastal forests reach 140 to 160 feet and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Mature trees are noted for their long, clear, columnar boles and dome-like crowns. Roots are deep and spreading and these trees prefer deep, moist alluvial soils in gulches, streams, and gentle banks. Maturity is reached at 200 years.
This species is noted for the two distinct sizes of its needles: The ones on the upper side are shorter than those from underneath. Trees in the coastal forests reach 140 to 160 feet and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Mature trees are noted for their long, clear, columnar boles and dome-like crowns. Roots are deep and spreading and these trees prefer deep, moist alluvial soils in gulches, streams, and gentle banks. Maturity is reached at 200 years.
Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)
Lodgepole pine has a wide distribution throughout western North America. Many parts of the tree have traditional medicinal uses for Washington tribes, who also use its pitch as an adhesive. At least four varieties can be recognized. Two varieties of lodgepole pine are known as shore pine, typically found in coastal areas. The other two are inland varieties of lodgepole pine. Shore Pine is a relatively small tree, ordinarily 25 to 30 feet high and 12 to 18 inches in diameter. It has a short, contorted bole and dense irregular crown of twisted branches extending nearly to the ground. The root system is deep and wide-spreading and often associated with peat bogs.
Lodgepole pine has a wide distribution throughout western North America. Many parts of the tree have traditional medicinal uses for Washington tribes, who also use its pitch as an adhesive. At least four varieties can be recognized. Two varieties of lodgepole pine are known as shore pine, typically found in coastal areas. The other two are inland varieties of lodgepole pine. Shore Pine is a relatively small tree, ordinarily 25 to 30 feet high and 12 to 18 inches in diameter. It has a short, contorted bole and dense irregular crown of twisted branches extending nearly to the ground. The root system is deep and wide-spreading and often associated with peat bogs.
Noble Fir (Abies procera) 
Mature trees produce a long, clear bole with a dome-like crown. With a deep and spreading root system, this species prefers a deep, cool, and moist soil. Growth in height and diameter is slow during seedling stage but is moderately rapid in later years. Heights of 90 to 120 feet are reported of trees at ages of 100 to 120 years. Maturity is reached in about 350 years.
Mature trees produce a long, clear bole with a dome-like crown. With a deep and spreading root system, this species prefers a deep, cool, and moist soil. Growth in height and diameter is slow during seedling stage but is moderately rapid in later years. Heights of 90 to 120 feet are reported of trees at ages of 100 to 120 years. Maturity is reached in about 350 years.
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Indigenous peoples of the Inland Northwest traditionally eat the seeds and inner bark of the ponderosa pine and use its pitch for medicinal purposes. Ponderosa pine is found in commercial quantities in almost every state west of the Great Plains and is second only to Douglas-fir in annual production of lumber. Ponderosa pine average 150 to 180 feet high and 3 to 4 feet in diameter. This species commonly forms open, parklike forest, and its tops are ordinarily symmetrical and clear for one-half or more of their length. Short, conical, or flat-topped crowns are characteristic of old trees. This species attains its maximum development on relatively moist but well-drained soils but is resistant to drought on dry sites. Over much of its range, ponderosa pine regeneration depends upon a bumper crop of seeds in conjunction with above-average rainfall. Natural seedlings can exist under the canopy of the parent trees, even though they grow quite slowly, 3 to 4 feet during the first 15 to 20 years.
Indigenous peoples of the Inland Northwest traditionally eat the seeds and inner bark of the ponderosa pine and use its pitch for medicinal purposes. Ponderosa pine is found in commercial quantities in almost every state west of the Great Plains and is second only to Douglas-fir in annual production of lumber. Ponderosa pine average 150 to 180 feet high and 3 to 4 feet in diameter. This species commonly forms open, parklike forest, and its tops are ordinarily symmetrical and clear for one-half or more of their length. Short, conical, or flat-topped crowns are characteristic of old trees. This species attains its maximum development on relatively moist but well-drained soils but is resistant to drought on dry sites. Over much of its range, ponderosa pine regeneration depends upon a bumper crop of seeds in conjunction with above-average rainfall. Natural seedlings can exist under the canopy of the parent trees, even though they grow quite slowly, 3 to 4 feet during the first 15 to 20 years.Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) 
Washington's Indigenous population traditionally used Western hemlock to make fish traps and dyes, and valued its wood as a disposable, biodegradable item. Today, Western hemlock is one the major timber-contributing species in the Pacific Northwest. This species varies from 125 feet to 175 feet in height and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. A distinguishing feature of western hemlock is the drooping terminal leader. An abundance of both soil and atmospheric moisture is a requisite for rapid growth. Nearly pure, extensive forests of Western hemlock occur in southeastern Alaska, coastal British Columbia and western Washington.
Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)
The Western larch is Washington state's only deciduous conifer, with its needles turning a brilliant yellow before dropping each fall. Sizes of this tree vary from 140 to 180 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in diameter. The crowns are usually short, open, and essentially pyramidal. In the summer, they are distinguished by light, lustrous green foliage. Western larch attains maximum size on deep, moist, porous soils in high valleys and on mountain slopes of northern and western exposure.
Washington's Indigenous population traditionally used Western hemlock to make fish traps and dyes, and valued its wood as a disposable, biodegradable item. Today, Western hemlock is one the major timber-contributing species in the Pacific Northwest. This species varies from 125 feet to 175 feet in height and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. A distinguishing feature of western hemlock is the drooping terminal leader. An abundance of both soil and atmospheric moisture is a requisite for rapid growth. Nearly pure, extensive forests of Western hemlock occur in southeastern Alaska, coastal British Columbia and western Washington.
Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)
The Western larch is Washington state's only deciduous conifer, with its needles turning a brilliant yellow before dropping each fall. Sizes of this tree vary from 140 to 180 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in diameter. The crowns are usually short, open, and essentially pyramidal. In the summer, they are distinguished by light, lustrous green foliage. Western larch attains maximum size on deep, moist, porous soils in high valleys and on mountain slopes of northern and western exposure.
Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata)
Western redcedar is central to Indigenous cultural life in the Pacific Northwest. Its wood is used for canoes and buildings, its bark and roots are used for baskets and garments, and it remains of paramount spiritual importance. Found primarily in the Pacific Northwest, it is the principal timber tree used for manufacturing of shingles in the United States and Canada. Under favorable conditions for growth, forest trees can grow to 150 feet to 200 feet in height and 4 to 8 feet diameter. The crown is typically irregular and is usually composed of numerous horizontal or drooping branches, which bend upward near the tips to form a distinct hook. This species generally inhabits moist flats and slopes, and the banks of rivers and wetlands. It does not flourish in dry soils.
Western redcedar is central to Indigenous cultural life in the Pacific Northwest. Its wood is used for canoes and buildings, its bark and roots are used for baskets and garments, and it remains of paramount spiritual importance. Found primarily in the Pacific Northwest, it is the principal timber tree used for manufacturing of shingles in the United States and Canada. Under favorable conditions for growth, forest trees can grow to 150 feet to 200 feet in height and 4 to 8 feet diameter. The crown is typically irregular and is usually composed of numerous horizontal or drooping branches, which bend upward near the tips to form a distinct hook. This species generally inhabits moist flats and slopes, and the banks of rivers and wetlands. It does not flourish in dry soils.
Seedling Stock Types (Summary)
1+1
This term designates a seedling grown for one year in a seedbed, harvested, root pruned to five inches and transplanted back into a nursery bed at approximately six seedlings per square foot. The transplanting process results in a larger caliper and a more fibrous root system. The seedling will have more side branching, with a minimum of 10 inches in height and 4 millimeters in caliper (stem diameter at the root collar). The root system on a 1+1 plus the extra storage of food in the caliper and root system will allow the seedling to survive on an infertile site, compete with other vegetation and give it a better chance of surviving browse damage.
2+0
This designates a seedling that was grown at approximately 25 seedlings per square foot in the seedling bed and grown in the field for two years (never transplanted). After two years the seedling is ready for outplant. The production costs are low because the seedling had not been lifted, packed and transplanted as in all of the transplant stock types. The root systems on such stock type are pruned horizontally in the ground at a 6-inch depth and vertically between each row at the end of the first growing season. These cultural activities encourage branching of the remaining roots and promote more fibrous roots required for out planting survival. This stock type will survive in a site that has low competing vegetation and minimal levels of animal browsing.
This designates a seedling that was grown at approximately 25 seedlings per square foot in the seedling bed and grown in the field for two years (never transplanted). After two years the seedling is ready for outplant. The production costs are low because the seedling had not been lifted, packed and transplanted as in all of the transplant stock types. The root systems on such stock type are pruned horizontally in the ground at a 6-inch depth and vertically between each row at the end of the first growing season. These cultural activities encourage branching of the remaining roots and promote more fibrous roots required for out planting survival. This stock type will survive in a site that has low competing vegetation and minimal levels of animal browsing.
Plug (P+0)
This is a seedling grown in a greenhouse in containers that are narrow and deep. For some species, this stock type reduces the time between request and outplanting. For some species, growing plug stock type is necessary due to low germination and early growth. Various sizes of containers are available but the target is a styro-2A (2-cubic-inch containers) if the seedling will be used for a Plug+1 stock type. A styro-10 will be used if the seedling will be used for outplanting.
This is a seedling grown in a greenhouse in containers that are narrow and deep. For some species, this stock type reduces the time between request and outplanting. For some species, growing plug stock type is necessary due to low germination and early growth. Various sizes of containers are available but the target is a styro-2A (2-cubic-inch containers) if the seedling will be used for a Plug+1 stock type. A styro-10 will be used if the seedling will be used for outplanting.
Plug+1 (P+1) After growing in the greenhouse for a year, the seedling is extracted from the container, root-pruned at 5 inches and transplanted in a nursery bed at approximately six seedlings per square foot. As with the 1+1, the root pruning and transplanting generates a larger-caliper stem and more mass in the root system. Cedar, hemlock, larch, and some species of pine and true firs are propagated as Plug+1.
