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Nursery Manager

Sustainability and reforestation are core values of many forestry organizations. The role of the Nursery Manager is to oversee seed and tree seedling inventory which is crucial to meeting these goals. They supervise workers, recommend fertilizer and pest control applications, and manage equipment for planting, harvesting and ultimately producing and delivering quality seedlings to the forest.

Nursery Managers plant, prune, cultivate and harvest tree seedlings. From trees to ornamental grasses, this position requires quite a bit of knowledge about various types of plant species required to grow and maintain a sustainable working forest.

A Nursery Manager may also be called a Greenhouse Manager or a Regeneration Manager.

Joshua Steiger

Regeneration Manager, Rayonier

The product we produce is at the center of a sustainable future. When you combine this with a team of great people that love what they do, it easy to see why this work is so satisfying and enjoyable.

Education

A Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture, Nursery Management or Greenhouse Management is often required.

Hands-on experience in Forestry, Forest Research or nursery operations is beneficial. An understanding of economics and communication skills are important.

Helpful courses to take in high school include agricultural education, mathematics and science courses such as botany, biology and horticulture.

Tools of the Trade

To manage large inventories of plants, the Nursery Manager will use basic computer applications such as Excel and Microsoft Word.
Daily use of nursery technology and equipment.
Seeds, various types of soil, fertilizers and gardening tools.
Tractors, sowers and other farming, planting and harvesting equipment

Important Skills

An understanding of nursery and greenhouse systems and equipment. Knowledge of propagation and cultural requirements of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and grasses native to the area of management.

Knowledge about the stages of plant life and diseases. Also, having knowledge about seeds, different types of soils, fertilizers, pest control and the use of gardening tools.

Must be comfortable with managing a large and diverse plant inventory.

Because the Nursery Manager typically manages a team, leadership and business management skills also are necessary.

Job Responsibilities

The Nursery Manager oversees the growth of millions of tiny tree seedlings each year for reforestation. These seedlings could be used to replace trees removed through logging efforts, forest fires, or even natural disasters. The goal of a sustainable forestry organization is to replant areas that are logged - working to keep in alignment with sustainability standards. Because of this, there is a continual need for tree seedlings. Generally, the Nursery team tends to seedlings for at least six months and up to several years prior to replanting in the forest.

This position requires the individual to run and manage a greenhouse, containerized planting program, and/or in-the-ground planting operations. Among their responsibilities, they may supervise staff, maintain breeding programs, and keep track of plant records to coordinate their planting, nurturing, and distribution. They may have to use and maintain farming equipment and have a knowledge of soil nutrients to ensure a healthy crop of seedlings.

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