Tree nursery growing future PEI forests
The province’s J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery now produces 1.3 million trees a year. To make this happen, the nursery staff grow PEI seeds into ready-to-plant trees.
Hailey Blacquiere, manager of production development says they only grow native tree species using seeds from a local orchard that hold collections of trees that are selected as having the best traits.
“We’ve had those trees growing alongside each other for several years and we monitor the growth, shape, and health on a regular basis. As the trees grow, they share pollen and those seeds are what we use in our nursery to produce a high-quality seedling.”
Whatever doesn’t get planted spends the winter at the nursery on Upton Road where a small winter crew are making sure these trees are in peak condition for the next planting season.
Smaller saplings in trays are put down for the winter, which means they are bundled in special containers made of pallets, built on site, says Blacquiere.
“We build mini shelters and put the trees inside them. The plants have a little bit of breathing room and they are all tucked away for winter. We are mimicking natural conditions as much as possible while also protecting the trees from heavy snow load so they can continue to grow next season.”
Larger saplings are kept in bigger shelters that work the same way but give bigger trees a bit more room.
Blacquiere says most trees from the provincial nursery aren’t sold commercially.
“Most of our trees are used in one of six forestry programs that are all about creating and diversifying forests. Some programs are aimed at watershed groups for planting in buffer zones while others support private woodlot owners.”
Reforestation is a big part of why the nursery produces so many trees. Whether it’s replanting after extreme weather, shoring up buffer zones or turning land back into forest, excellent tree production is crucial.
“The trees impact the animals, the water, the air, the soil, they ultimately impact everything,” Blacquiere says.
“When we want to reforest quickly, we mimic natural forest succession, so white spruce and white pine are planted first. Right now, we are working on generation two of our improved white spruce seed. It grows really well, potentially a foot per year.”
These trees start things off, and then other species can fill in later naturally or with help from a provincial program. After a few years the new forest stand can be thinned and then interplanted with hardwood species, which creates good habitat for wildlife and increases the wood value as well.
This process aligns well with the recommendation from the PEI Forestry Commission to bump up the hardwood production. Increasing tree diversity creates more productive and climate-resilient forests. Since the recommendation, the nursery has been working to increase the production of hardwood stock. Hardwood production was at 5.5 percent in 2025 and is increasing, with seed collections forecasting another bump in the coming season.
Many people ask how to buy a tree from the province’s hardy stock. Skip the trip to the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery as these trees are only available at one of PEI’s participating local garden centers or through a provincial forestry program listed at Trees and Planting.