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Seedlings

"Each year, Plum Creek plants approximately 85 million seedlings and plans for the natural regeneration of millions of trees. Within two years of harvesting, the company plants seedlings that are best suited to the slope, elevation and geography in the area. These practices ensure a continuous supply of forests into the future."

—Tom Lindquist, Executive Vice President

Maximizing timberland productivity is a key aspect of Plum Creek's commitment to sustainable forestry, both on our own lands and for others. To help support ongoing tree regeneration and growth, we grow genetically improved seedlings at our own nurseries to reforest Plum Creek lands.

Plum Creek nurseries produce approximately 120 to 130 million seedlings each year. We plant approximately 85 million seedlings annually on our own lands and the remainder are sold to others. Dispersed across the United States, our six nurseries and their associated seed orchards encompass a variety of climatic conditions to cover our diverse geographic needs.

The process begins with seeds adapted for rapid growth in a wide range of geographical locations. More than five dozen species of softwood and hardwood seedlings are raised to custom specifications for forestry or commercial horticulture use.

Forty years of experience in tree improvement and nursery management have helped refine the company's seed development, sowing, irrigation, fertilization, pruning and harvesting technologies to produce vital seedlings that surpass the industry standard for health and viability. Professional nursery teams use techniques such as precision vacuum sowing, root wrenching, mechanical lifting and spray-on root moisture retention gels to ensure maximum uniformity, larger root collar diameters, high root-to-shoot ratios and robust root systems in the seedlings we offer. These seedlings become trees that grow straighter and faster, resist disease better, and produce more wood volume.