When the nursery was first established in  1909, it grew bareroot (field-grown) tree and shrub seedlings for conservation. In 1982, container-grown seedlings (grown in greenhouses) replaced bareroot production. Our operation emphasizes teaching, research, and service. We teach students about forest planting, conduct research to improve seedling quality and subsequent survival and growth, and grow seedlings for private industry and the public. Almost all the revenue used to meet these obligations is received through seedling sales and outside grants.

We are a proud member of the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association and the Inland Empire
Christmas Tree Association and cooperate with Idaho's private nursery owners through an advisory committee, keeping them up-to-date with our research findings.