In an effort to provide more focused support to private woodland owners and the state forest system, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources today proposed closing the Marietta State Nursery effective Nov. 8, 2008.

"Over the past decade, annual tree seedling sales have steadily dropped from 6 million trees in 1997, to nearly 4 million in 2003, to this year's low of less than 1. 5 million seedlings," says David Lytle, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. "As sales have declined through the years, the Green Springs State Nursery was closed in 1984, and the Zanesville State Nursery was closed in 2003."

The Marietta State Nursery began operations in 1925 as a provider of seedlings for reforesting land purchased as part of the state forest system. Over time, the nurseries at Marietta, Green Springs and Zanesville supported tree planting on both state forests and private lands. The Marietta State Nursery has been operating at a deficit over the past several years. The closing of the nursery will help the division operate more efficiently.

"We honor the hard work of nursery staff over the past 80-some years, which has led to the planting of tens of millions of trees in Ohio," says Lytle. "However, as our state forests have successfully been reforested, and other public and private sources are available to provide tree seedlings, we must focus our available resources on those priorities that return the greatest possible services to the people of Ohio."

Lytle says he understands the difficult impact that closing the Marietta State Nursery will have on both state workers and seedling customers. "Please know that we will make every effort to support impacted employees through this tough transition period. We will also be working to assist customers of the Marietta State Nursery in finding available sources of tree seedlings."

The Marietta State Nursery employs eight permanent and approximately 20 seasonal employees. This closure is pending review and approval from the Director of the Department of Administrative Services as required by the Ohio Revised Code. Employees and the public will be notified of this decision as it becomes available.