Richard Gilbert, Biological Scientist, Nursery Manager

As a specialist at the Nation’s oldest Federal tree nursery, I contribute to forest restoration by annually cultivating 2.7 million trees, 1 million bareroot seedlings, and 1.7 million container seedlings. These are distributed to national forests for reforestation and to conservation districts for windbreaks and habitat plantings.

Working in a nursery setting is a wonderful thing. Your job changes throughout the year, and it is so rewarding to see the plants you produce. There is no better job than having your hands in dirt and working with customers with the same passion.

How does such a big tree come from such a small seed?

Seed planting equipment is so critical for nursery production. The pneumatic seeder we use for container production helps us with accuracy and efficiency.

Greenhouse expansions have been the most exciting and rewarding projects I have worked on. With the addition of every greenhouse, we increase our production area and can supply more seedlings to forests and other areas.

My first memory of being interested in plants is working with my parents in the garden. You get to eat what you grow; fresh from the garden is the best. I can still hear my parents telling me to stop eating the peas and strawberries.