In areas which have a disease problem such as fusiform rust, purchasing rust resistant seedlings will be beneficial. Seedlings may be purchased from Florida Division of Forestry nurseries or privately owned nurseries. To find out where to order trees in your area, call your county forester. Place your order as soon as possible, beginning July 1, because often there may be a limited number of seedlings available. Select a date for delivery and pick-up of your seedlings which closely coincides with the planting date, because the longer the trees are kept out of the ground, the lower their survival rates will be after planting.
Most planting is done successfully with bareroot seedlings.
However, containerized seedlings may be beneficial under some planting conditions. Containerized longleaf pine seedlings may have better survival rates because of their protected, undisturbed root system. Containerized seedlings may perform better on adverse sites. One or any combination of methods may be effective on a particular site. Soils needing fertilizers at the time of planting.