902-662-3129

Tree & Shrub Seeds

For over 35 years, Nova Tree has sustainably collected conifer, hardwood, & shrub seeds from natural stands in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

 

Our most popular seeds are Nova Scotian Abies balsamea (Balsam fir) and Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood). Because seed crop quality of many trees and shrubs varies from year to year, not all species are available at all times. Please contact us to check stock availability.

 

All coniferous seed is cleaned and de-winged. All seed is kept in cold storage.

  • Check stock availability and order seed by email (karen@novatree.ca) or by phone (902-662-3129).
  • Payment is accepted by Visa, MasterCard, or Cheque.
  • Shipping by Canada Post Expedited (in Canada) or FedEx Air (in the USA) is charged at cost.
  • Phytosanitary certificates, if required, are $20 each.

Conditions & Receiving Instructions

Conditions: Seeds are sold without warranty, expressed or implied, as to phenotypical expression and productiveness. A germination test determines the maximum germination potential (i.e., viability) of each seed lot. The germination rate of a particular seed lot is a key indicator as to how that seed will perform in the field.

 

Receiving and Storage: Tree and shrub seeds are perishable. Immediately upon their arrival, all shipments should be carefully unpacked, inspected, and placed in proper storage. Please notify us immediately regarding any problems with seed condition, quality of stock received, or quantity of stock received.

 

Claims: Claims must be made in writing within 7 days of the shipment arrival date. If the buyer does not give notice, the buyer agrees to have unconditionally accepted the goods. Nova Tree will not consider claims for seed that has been modified by the buyer in any way, whether through cleaning, processing, improper storage, planting, or otherwise. Claims for losses while goods are in transit must be filed directly with the carrier.

Conifers

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Balsam Fir
(Inland NS)
Abies balsamea
$22.⁰⁰
$44.⁰⁰
$66.⁰⁰
$110.⁰⁰
$242.⁰⁰
Balsam Fir
(Sheet Harbour, NS)
Abies balsamea
$25.⁰⁰$50.⁰⁰$75.⁰⁰$125.⁰⁰$275.⁰⁰
Bracted Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
var. phanerolepis		$55.⁰⁰$110.⁰⁰
$165.⁰⁰
$275.⁰⁰
$605.⁰⁰
Fraser FirAbies fraseri$96.⁰⁰$192.⁰⁰$360.⁰⁰$480.⁰⁰$1056.⁶⁰
Balsam Fir (Inland NS)

Botanical name: Abies balsamea
Common name(s): Balsam fir
Source: Inland Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 6
Height range: 45′ – 75′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 15 – 30 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 55000
Comments: Popular Christmas tree choice

 

Balsam Fir (Sheet Harbour, NS)

Botanical name: Abies balsamea
Common name(s): Balsam fir
Source: Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 6
Height range: 45′ – 75′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 15 – 30 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 55000
Comments: Popular Christmas tree choice

 

Bracted Balsam Fir

Botanical name: Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis
Common name(s): Bracted balsam fir, Canaan fir
Source: Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 6
Height range: 45′ – 75′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 15 – 30 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 63560
Comments: Balsam fir variety that resembles Fraser fir; bottle-brush foliage; good needle retention

 

Fraser Fir

Botanical name: Abies fraseri (also classified Abies balsamea subsp. fraseri)
Common name(s): Fraser fir
Source: United States
Hardiness zone: 4 – 7
Height range: 30′ – 40′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic sandy loam
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 15 – 30 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 44000
Comments: Popular Christmas tree choice due to conical form, strong limbs, mild fragrance, soft needles, and excellent needle retention

 

Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir)

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
$23.⁰⁰
$46.⁰⁰
$69.⁰⁰
$115.⁰⁰
$253.⁰⁰
White Spruce
Picea glauca
$34.⁰⁰
$68.⁰⁰
$127.⁵⁰
$170.⁰⁰
$374.⁰⁰
Black Spruce
Picea mariana
$48.⁰⁰$96.⁰⁰
$180.⁰⁰
$240.⁰⁰
$528.⁰⁰
Blue Spruce
(Colorado)
Picea pungens
$49.⁰⁰$122.⁵⁰
$183.⁷⁵
$245.⁰⁰
$539.⁰⁰
Blue Spruce
(Arizona)		Picea pungens
$58.⁰⁰$145.⁰⁰$217.⁵⁰
$290.⁰⁰
$638.⁰⁰
Red Spruce
Picea rubens
$41.⁰⁰
$82.⁰⁰$153.⁷⁵
$205.⁰⁰
$451.⁰⁰
Norway Spruce

Botanical name: Picea abies
Common name(s): Norway spruce, European spruce
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 7
Height range: 40′ – 100′
Growing information: Prefers full sun
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 55000
Comments: Common choice for windbreaks and shelters

 

White Spruce

Botanical name: Picea glauca
Common name(s): White spruce, Canadian spruce, skunk spruce, cat spruce
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 40′ – 60′
Growing information: Transplants readily; tolerates wind, heat, cold, & drought
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 230000
Comments: Useful as a specimen tree and for masses, hedges, and windbreaks

 

Black Spruce

Botanical name: Picea mariana
Common name(s): Black spruce
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 5
Height range: 30′ – 40′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained soils
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 370000
Comments: Small to medium-sized tree; conical shape

 

Blue Spruce (Colorado)

Botanical name: Picea pungens
Common name(s): Blue spruce, green spruce, Colorado spruce
Source: Colorado
Hardiness zone: 2 – 7
Height range: 30′ – 60′
Growing information: Prefers rich, moist soil and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 104420
Comments: Popular as a specimen tree

 

Blue Spruce (Arizona)

Botanical name: Picea pungens
Common name(s): Blue spruce, green spruce, Colorado spruce
Source: Kaibab, Arizona
Hardiness zone: 2 – 7
Height range: 30′ – 60′
Growing information: Prefers rich, moist soil and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 104420
Comments: Popular as a specimen tree

 

Red Spruce

Botanical name: Picea rubens
Common name(s): Red spruce, yellow spruce, eastern spruce
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 5
Height range: 60′ – 70′
Growing information: Prefers high humidity and high rainfall
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 140000
Comments: Used in a wide variety of applications, from Christmas trees to the production of paper pulp and tonewood

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Jack PinePinus banksiana$23.⁴⁰$46.⁸⁰$87.⁷⁵$117.⁰⁰$257.⁴⁰
Austrian Pine
Pinus nigra
$13.⁰⁰
$26.⁰⁰
$39.⁰⁰
$65.⁰⁰
$143.⁰⁰
Red Pine
Pinus resinosa
$26.⁰⁰
$52.⁰⁰
$78.⁰⁰
$130.⁰⁰
$286.⁰⁰
White Pine
Pinus strobus
$23.⁰⁰
$46.⁰⁰
$69.⁰⁰
$115.⁰⁰
$253.⁰⁰
Scotch PinePinus sylvestris$33.⁰⁰$66.⁰⁰$123.⁷⁵$165.⁰⁰$363.⁰⁰
Jack Pine

Botanical name: Pinus banksiana
Common name(s): Jack pine, grey pine, scrub pine
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 35′ – 50′
Growing information: Prefers acidic, sandy soils and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 101400
Comments: Useful for windbreaks and mass plantings; very hardy

 

Austrian Pine

Botanical name: Pinus nigra
Common name(s): Austrian pine, black pine
Source: Prince Edward Island
Hardiness zone: 4 – 7
Height range: 50′ – 60′
Growing information: Very hardy; tolerates salty conditions
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 26000
Comments: Useful as a specimen tree and for windbreaks and mass plantings

 

Red Pine

Botanical name: Pinus resinosa
Common name(s): Red pine
Source: Ontario & Prince Edward Island
Hardiness zone: 2 – 5
Height range: 50′ – 125′
Growing information: Prefers colder climates; tolerates poorer soil
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 45000
Comments: Hardy; picturesque; useful for windbreaks and groves

 

White Pine

Botanical name: Pinus strobus
Common name(s): White pine, soft pine
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 3 – 8
Height range: 50′ – 80′
Growing information: Prefers full sun; does not tolerate salt, wind, or pollution
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 60 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 27000
Comments: Handsome and ornamental; useful for hedging

 

Scotch Pine

Botanical name: Pinus sylvestris
Common name(s): Scotch pine, Scots pine
Source: Ontario
Hardiness zone: 2 – 8
Height range: 30′ – 60′
Growing information: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates dry, acidic conditions
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 65000
Comments: Unique form and colour; popular Christmas tree choice

 

Pinus sylvestris (Scotch Pine)

Common nameBotanical name 1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Tamarack Larch
Larix laricina
$92.⁰⁰
$184.⁰⁰
$345.⁰⁰
$460.⁰⁰
$1012.⁰⁰
Tamarack Larch

Botanical name: Larix laricina
Common name(s): Tamarack larch, eastern larch, hackmatack, black larch, red larch, American larch
Source: Prince Edward Island
Hardiness zone: 1 – 5
Height range: 40′ – 80′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 318000
Comments: Useful as a specimen tree and for screens; good fall colour

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Eastern White Cedar
Thuja occidentalis
$33.⁰⁰
$66.⁰⁰
$115.⁰⁰
$165.⁰⁰
$365.⁰⁰
Eastern White Cedar

Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis
Common name(s): Eastern white cedar, swamp cedar, arborvitae
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 2 – 7
Height range: 40′ – 60′
Growing information: Prefers deep, well-drained soils, full sun, and atmospheric moisture
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 300000
Comments: Useful as a specimen or accent tree and for hedges

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
$298.⁰⁰
$745.⁰⁰
$1,117.⁵⁰
$1,490.⁰⁰
$3,278.⁰⁰
Eastern Hemlock

Botanical name: Tusga canadensis
Common name(s): Eastern hemlock, eastern hemlock-spruce, Canadian hemlock
Source: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 8
Height range: 40′ – 75′
Growing information: Prefers humid, well-drained soils and partial shade but tolerate full shade
Pretreatment of seed: Stratification for 30 – 120 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 170000
Comments: Useful as a slow-growing, long-lived ornamental tree due to fine, drooping foliage and pyramidal growth habit

 

Hardwoods

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
$11.⁰⁰
$22.⁰⁰
$33.⁰⁰
$55.⁰⁰
$121.⁰⁰
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
$7.⁰⁰
$14.⁰⁰
$21.⁰⁰
$35.⁰⁰
$77.⁰⁰
Red Maple

Botanical name: Acer rubrum
Common name(s): Red maple, swamp maple, water maple, soft maple
Source: Nova Scotia & New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 3 – 9
Height range: 40′ – 100′
Growing information: Transplants easily; tolerates many different soil conditions
Pretreatment of seed: Before planting, cold water soak for 2 – 5 days
Seed type: Winged
Average seeds per pound: 30000
Comments: Beautiful fall colour; useful as a specimen tree for lawns and streets

 

Sugar Maple

Botanical name: Acer saccharum
Common name(s): Sugar maple, rock maple
Source: Canada
Hardiness zone: 4 – 8
Height range: 60′ – 100′
Growing information: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil; does not tolerate salt or pollution
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 60 – 90 days
Seed type: Winged
Average seeds per pound: 12000
Comments: Excellent shade tree for lawns, parks, and streets

 

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Yellow Birch
Betula alleghaniensis
$11.⁰⁰
$22.⁰⁰
$33.⁰⁰
$55.⁰⁰
$121.⁰⁰
White Birch
Betula papyrifera
$10.⁰⁰
$20.⁰⁰
$30.⁰⁰
$50.⁰⁰
$110.⁰⁰
Yellow Birch

Botanical name: Betula alleghaniensis
Common name(s): Yellow birch, golden birch
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 7
Height range: 60′ – 75′
Growing information: Prefers cool, moist conditions
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 30 days; provide extra light
Seed type: Rubbed seed grade
Average seeds per pound: 500000
Comments: Important lumber tree

 

White Birch

Botanical name: Betula papyrifera
Common name(s): White birch, paper birch, canoe birch
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 50′ – 70′
Growing information: Does best in moist, well-drained, acidic, sandy soils; prefers full sun
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 30 days
Seed type: Rubbed seed grade
Average seeds per pound: 610000
Comments: Characteristic bark colour contrasts beautifully with a variety of landscapes

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
English OakQuercus robur—$4.⁸⁰$7.²⁰$12.⁰⁰$26.⁴⁰
Red OakQuercus rubra
—$4.⁸⁰
$7.²⁰
$12.⁰⁰
$26.⁴⁰
English Oak

Botanical name: Quercus robur
Common name(s): English oak, European oak, common oak, pedunculate oak
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 4 – 8
Height range: 75′ – 100′
Growing information: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 105
Comments: Large shade tree suitable for parks and other open areas

 

Red Oak

Botanical name: Quercus rubra
Common name(s): Red oak, northern red oak, champion oak
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 4 – 8
Height range: 75′ – 100′
Growing information: Transplants easily; prefers acidic, sandy soil; tolerates pollution
Pretreatment of seed: No pretreatment necessary
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 110
Comments: Fast-growing; useful for parks and streets

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
White Ash
Fraxinus americana
$10.⁴⁰
$20.⁸⁰
$31.²⁰
$52.⁰⁰
$114.⁴⁰
American
Mountain Ash
Sorbus americana
$63.⁰⁰
$126.⁰⁰
$189.⁰⁰
$315.⁰⁰
$693.⁰⁰
White Ash

Botanical name: Fraxinus americana
Common name(s): White ash, American ash
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 3 – 9
Height range: 50′ – 80′
Growing information: Prefers deep, moist, well-drained soil and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: Warm stratify for 30 days, then cold stratify for 60 days
Seed type: Winged
Average seeds per pound: 10000
Comments: Handsome; commonly grows alongside Acer saccharum (Sugar maple)

 

American Mountain Ash

Botanical name: Sorbus americana
Common name(s): American mountain ash
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 10′ – 30′
Growing information: Prefers moist areas
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 120 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 122290
Comments: Attractive fruits and flowers

 

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
—
$3.²⁰
$4.⁸⁰
$12.⁰⁰
—sold out—
ButternutJuglans cinerea
—$4.⁸⁰
$7.²⁰
$12.⁰⁰
$26.⁴⁰
Black Walnut

Botanical name: Juglans nigra
Common name(s): Black walnut, eastern black walnut
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 4 – 9
Height range: 50′ – 75′
Growing information: Transplants with difficulty
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 60 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 25
Comments: Excretes chemicals harmful to competitive trees, particularly apple, pine, and birch

 

Butternut

Botanical name: Juglans cinerea
Common name(s): Butternut, white walnut
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 3
Height range: 40′ – 60′
Growing information: Prefers moist, fertile soil and full sun
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify seed for 90 – 120 days
Seed type: Clean seed
Average seeds per pound: 30
Comments: Useful in dry, rocky soils, especially those of limestone origin, including near coves, streams, slopes, rock ledges, and other well-drained sites

 

Shrubs

Common nameBotanical name1 oz
¼ lb
½ lb
1 lb
1 kg
Speckled AlderAlnus incana
subsp. rugosa
$28.⁰⁰
$56.⁰⁰
$84.⁰⁰
$140.⁰⁰
$308.⁰⁰
Bunchberry DogwoodCornus canadensis
———$350.⁰⁰
—
Red Osier DogwoodCornus sericea
subsp. sericea
$13.⁸⁰
$27.⁶⁰
$41.⁴⁰
$69.⁰⁰
$151.⁸⁰
ChokecherryPrunus virginiana$3.⁰⁰
$6.⁰⁰$11.²⁵$15.⁰⁰
$33.⁰⁰
Wild RaisinViburnum cassinoides
$15.⁴⁰
$30.⁸⁰
$46.²⁰
$77.⁰⁰
$169.⁴⁰
American CranberrybushViburnum trilobum
$16.⁰⁰
$32.⁰⁰
$48.⁰⁰
$80.⁰⁰
$176.⁰⁰
Speckled Alder

Botanical name: Alnus incana subsp. rugosa
Common name(s): Speckled alder, grey alder
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 3 – 6
Height range: 15′ – 25′
Growing information: Prefers moist areas along ponds and streams; tolerates poorer soils, including scree and shallow stony slopes
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 120 days
Seed type: Screened
Average seeds per pound: 600000
Comments: Shrub useful for land reclamation, re-forestation, and wildlife habitat

 

Bunchberry Dogwood

Botanical name: Cornus canadensis
Common name(s): Bunchberry dogwood, creeping dogwood, Canadian bunchberry, Canadian dwarf cornel, crackerberry, quatre-temps
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 3″ – 9″
Growing information: Prefers cool, moist, acidic soil; grows well under pines
Pretreatment of seed: Warm stratify for 3 – 5 months, then cold stratify for 3 months
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 60000
Comments: Forest ground-cover that forms a carpet-like mat; white flowers and edible scarlet fruits

 

Red Osier Dogwood

Botanical name: Cornus sericea subsp. sericea
Common name(s): Red osier dogwood, redstem dogwood, American dogwood, red willow, red-rood
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 2 – 8
Height range: 7′ – 9′
Growing information: Does best in moist soil; very hardy and adaptable
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 60 – 90 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 15500
Comments: Shrub with attractive dark red branches and twigs; useful for shrub borders, for mass planting in large areas, and for waterway bank soil retention and restoration

 

Chokecherry

Botanical name: Prunus virginiana
Common name(s): Chokecherry, bitter-berry, Virginia bird berry
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 2 – 6
Height range: 20′ – 30′
Growing information: Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil and full sun; tolerates light shade
Pretreatment of seed: Cold stratify for 120 days
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 5800
Comments: Shrub often suckers from the roots at the base of the stem; fruits are edible and attract birds

 

Wild Raisin

Botanical name: Viburnum cassinoides (also classified as Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides)
Common name(s): Wild raisin, witherod, possumhaw
Source: Nova Scotia
Hardiness zone: 5 – 9
Height range: 5′ – 10′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Pretreatment of seed: Warm stratify for 3 – 5 months, then cold stratify for 3 months
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 27000
Comments: Handsome, compact shrub with attractive fruit; useful for hedges and masses

 

Viburnum cassinoides (Wild Raisin)

American Cranberrybush

Botanical name:Viburnum trilobum (also classified as Viburnum opulus subsp. trilobum and Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
Common name(s): American cranberrybush, highbush cranberry, pembina, kalyna
Source: New Brunswick
Hardiness zone: 2 – 7
Height range: 8′ – 12′
Growing information: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Pretreatment of seed: Warm stratify for 3 – 5 months, then cold stratify for 3 months
Seed type: Cleaned
Average seeds per pound: 11200
Comments: Shrub useful for hedges and screens; fruit is edible and attracts birds