About Us

The New Hampshire State Forest Nursery is a facility and program administered by the Forest Management Bureau in the Division of Forests and Lands, a division of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. We have 3 million seedlings growing on 16 acres of irrigated, outdoor seedbeds, 20 acres of seed orchards and progeny test areas, and several on-site demonstration plantings. Annual seedlings sales total about 350,000 consisting of over 50 different species and specialty packages. The Nursery facilities and seedbeds are located in south-central New Hampshire (see location map below) along the bank of the Merrimack River. Our operations lie within an 880-acre state forest managed for multiple uses (see state land management for additional information).

The Nursery exists under authority of RSA 227-H:2 to raise and sell seedlings to "...persons who desire to plant them". Every seedling we sell is grown from seed in our own seedbeds. We collect as much of our own seed as possible from local sources to ensure quality seedlings well adapted to local climate and soils.

Our Mission

The State Forest Nursery mission is to grow and distribute quality, bare-root seedlings for forestry, conservation, and education purposes. To ensure seedling quality and respond to market demands and forest health concerns, a tree improvement research and development effort is maintained.

Contact Information

Our Nursery facilities are located in Boscawen, New Hampshire on Route 3 about 8 miles north of exit 17N from Interstate 93.  Visitors are welcome and tours can be arranged for 15 or more. Best time to schedule tours is in May and June - fall tours can be arranged as well (see Online Nursery Tours).

We are open between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST Monday - Friday.

Click on location map to view in a larger format.

Surplus Free Seedlings from the State Forest Nursery

Check out National Tree Trust and Volunteer to Plant Trees in Your Community!