Your seedlings should come from nurseries using locally collected seed or seed from known origins. Don't be too quick to buy the cheapest seedlings - they may not be the best value in the long run. Conifers should be at least 8 to 12 inches tall, with a good, healthy root system. Container-grown plants are usually larger and cost more, but may be worth the extra cost in areas where establishment is difficult. Usually, quality bare-root stock is satisfactory.
Most nurseries sell hardwoods and shrubs as bareroot seedlings.
A crucial step in the establishment process is the care of plant material upon arrival. Warm temperatures and dryness greatly reduce the survivability of seedlings. Immediately upon arrival, inspect the plant material for dry, moldy, or very small trees. Do not waste your time planting damaged trees. Plant your windbreak as soon as possible after the seedlings arrive.