John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery

State-Operated Forestry Seedling Nursery. Top products: Conifer seedlings, Deciduous tree seedlings, Deciduous shrub seedlings. Established in 1914, the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery is Maryland's official state-operated forest nursery, managed by the Maryland Forest Service. The nursery specializes in the mass production of tree and shrub seedlings specifically intended for reforestation, wildlife habitat enhancement, watershed protection, and conservation-related land management. Operating with a historical mandate to support forest stewardship, the nursery supplies millions of seedlings annually to landowners across the state. Unlike commercial garden centers, the nursery maintains strict usage requirements; all plant material must be utilized for conservation, forest products, or Christmas tree production, and products are prohibited from being used for ornamental landscaping or resale. The facility offers a wide range of native and site-appropriate species tailored for large-scale environmental improvement projects. Customers can receive seedlings via shipping or direct nursery pickup, supported by a state-managed distribution system designed to ensure seedling quality during the critical spring planting window.