Starting a Tree Nursery: What you Need to Know

1. Matt Stanko
Nursery Operations
Manager

2. Tree Pittsburgh’s mission is to
protect and restore the urban forest
through community
tree planting and tree care,
education, advocacy, and land
conservation.
Our vision is to support a more resilient
urban forest for all by inspiring and
engaging people to maintain, plant, and
protect trees. A greener region will create
more vital communities for
generations to come.

3. • Community
Tree Planting
• Tree Care
• Tree
Distribution
• Tree Nursery

4. • Education
• Youth-
Programming
• Environmental
Justice
• Advocacy

5. The Heritage Nursery 2022:
• 2.5 acre growing area
• 85 species grown from local seed
• 20,000 2-3 gallon trees produced per year
• 50,000 seedlings grown per year
• 3 full-time staff
• 2 part-time seasonal staff
• 1 intern
• 4 job-corp training externships
• 300+ volunteers
• 2,000 sf greenhouse
• 6 high tunnels
• $200,000 annual operating budget
• 12% profit margin
Est. 2010

6. How did we get there from here?

7. Early Questions…
• Why do you want to start a nursery?
• Stock not available?
• Conservation?
• Revenue generation?
• Will growing plants contribute to your organization?
• Do you need to start your own nursery?
• Is it unique? Don’t duplicate efforts. Explore partnerships.
• Will you be competing with the for profit sector?

8. Start Small
• Test it out
• Do we know how to grow plants?
• Do we enjoy growing plants?
• Stay specific
• Focus on a handful of species
• Ease into it
• Explore funding sources
• Sprout Funds
• In-Kind Donations
• Volunteers

9. Yes! We still want to start a nursery
• Can we do it? Should we do it? (Feasibility Study)
• What are the goals? What is the focus?
• How does it enhance your mission and the community?
• Assess market trends and demand
• Identify a site and assess usability
• How do we do it? (Business Plan)
• Make a plan
• Layout your space (Master Plan)
• Create a budget
• Raise the funds

10. Operations and Buildout
• Site assessment
• Utility hookups
• Reliable water source
• Topography, drainage
• Accessibility
• Sun exposure, wind, shade, etc.
• Security
• Start small but plan for expansion
• Water lines- size for full build-out
• Structures- leave room for expansion
• Site Layout
• Drainage
• Sun Exposure
• Shade
• Irrigation

11. Operations and Buildout
• Irrigation
• Tree Protection (IPM)
• Deer fencing
• Rabbit and groundhog fencing
• Mice and squirrels
• Insects
• Overwintering
• Have an overwintering plan
• Root zone protection
• Hoop houses with poly plastic
• Heel in with wood chips

12. Operations and Buildout
• Invest in your staff
• Offer competitive wages
• Involve Nursery Team in planning and goal setting
• Avoid burnout
• Be prepared
• Supply chain issues
• Material shortages
• Order materials 6-12 months in advance. Have ready for planting season.
• Make a plan
• Production schedules
• IPM
• Plant care calendar
• Follow the Business Plan but be flexible
• Track and record nursery activities
• Assess opportunities for improvement annually

13. Programming
• Stock for Tree Pittsburgh use
• Tree plantings
• Tree adoptions
• Wholesale stock available for purchase (10 tree minimum)
• Retail sales (2-3 events annually)
• Seed Collection
• Volunteer engagement
• Educational workshops
• Job corps training
• Seed conservation and research

14. Wholesale to Non-
Profit Partners
44%
(Conservancies, Land Trusts,
City and County Parks)
Tree Pittsburgh Plantings
24%
(Riparian buffers, restoration projects, schools,
community projects)
Tree Pittsburgh
Distributions
22%
Retail
5%
Other Wholesale
5%
(Cemeteries, Landscapers,
For-Profits)
Client Type

15. Lessons Learned
• Invest in a Feasibility Study and Business Plan.
• Start small but plan for growth and expansion.
• Stay mission focused.
• Plan on continuous fundraising.
• Focus on quality. Pace growth.
• Continue to learn. Keep records of everything you do.
• Assess opportunities for growth.
• Listen to the community and stakeholders (board, staff,
volunteers). Follow their lead.

16. Bottom Line
Starting a nursery isn’t easy and takes time, but if done right it
can be a rewarding and successful way to support your mission
and bring revenue into your organization.
Questions?
Matt Stanko
Matt.stanko@treepittsburgh.org
Nursery Consulting:
Megan Palomo, Heritage Nursery Director
megan@treepittsburgh.org