Dear Friends:

THE NURSERY IS NOW CLOSED FOR ORDERS UNTIL FALL 2012.

Ninety percent of Maryland’s forest land is owned by private woodland owners. Forest land is one of our greatest natural resources and if taken care of, can offer long term benefits for everyone.

Private landowners are encouraged to practice forest stewardship and leave the land and its resources in better condition for future generations. Managing forest resources ensures the continuation of many forest benefits including improved water quality, wildland species and habitat diversity, recreation, timber, aesthetics and air quality. A well thought out resource conservation plan helps landowners identify and recognize the value of their forest land and etter predict the effects of any resource activity.

With these thoughts in mind we offer again this year many seedlings to assisting landowners in their afforestation or reforestation projects. We hope that within these pages you will find the right options for your land and your objectives for that land.

Thank you for helping to maintain and improve the quality of Maryland’s natural resources.

Steven W. Koehn
Director/State Forester

This year's catalog features 40 species, down from 50 species last year. Poor seed crops for some species and low germination for others reduced our species mix this year. Hopefully this year’s seed crop will improve. Our seedling crop is still very good and we have more than 3 million seedlings available.

Our online catalog continues to be very successful. Communicating electronically allows us to save postage and provide you with order confirmations, planting instructions, shipping notices and receipts quickly and efficiently. Our 800 number is also available if you need to talk directly with us.

We will continue to sell hardwood seedlings in units of 25 so you may mix and match to suit your needs. However, lots of 100 or more per species must continue to be ordered in units of 100. For example, you can order hardwoods in units of 25, 50, 75,100, 200, 300, etc… Conifers can still be ordered in any multiple of 50. Their smaller size and uniformity makes them much easier to handle and package.

Thank you for your business, whether you were a new customer last year or have been buying seedlings from us for many years! We strive to provide you with high quality seedlings and excellent service at competitive prices. Our 2011 sales were excellent! In these tight economic times, we really appreciate your business!

Richard Garrett
Nursery Manager rgarrett@dnr.state.md.us

P.S. If you are not sure which species are right for your needs, please call your local forestry office. They can answer questions about site conditions, species selection and financial incentives you may qualify for. Click here for a list of offices.

PLEASE NOTE: There are regulations in who may purchase trees and for what purpose. Seedlings purchased from the State Nursery cannot be used for landscaping or ornamental purposes. The Forest Service, however, fully recognizes the benefits that trees provide in terms of beautification, privacy screening and enhancing architectural design. We encourage homeowners and businesses to patronize their local private nursery, garden center or landscape contractor. These professionals can assist you in choosing proper trees, shrubs, flowers and maintance supplies to meet your landscaping needs.

Trees obtained from the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery are available for conservation purposes defined as: Watershed Protection, Wildlife Habitat, Christmas Trees, Forest Products, Soil Protection, Buffer Planting and Windbreak Protection.

In accordance with natural resources Code 5-408 and Regulation 08.07.03 which authorizes the sale of tree seedlings, the landowner who purchases seedlings from the John S. Ayton Nursery agrees to the following:

• That all seedlings and shrubs so purchased shall be planted in the State of Maryland or Delaware for conservation purposes.
• That a planting report be furnished when requested by the Department of Natural Resources.
• That the planting be protected as far as possible from fire, grazing and trespass.
• That trees may not be offered for sale with roots attached for removal from the land as live or ornamental trees.

Disclaimer: While we would like to be able to guarantee our seedling stock against the ravages of nature and human intervention, we simply can not. We will however, prepare, package and ship healthy seedlings with the utmost care. When the seedlings leave our nursery they become the responsibility of the carrier and then the customer. If they arrive damaged due to obvious misuse, please report it to the carrier immediately. We can assume no responsibility after the seedlings leave our nursery.