Founder Mark Gutshall establishes "Octoraro Wetland Nursery" to meet the demands of new environmental legislation, focusing on wetland plants for mitigation projects.

Jim MacKenzie joins the team as co-owner, assuming operational responsibilities and helping steer the company toward future growth.

The nursery rebrands as Octoraro Native Plant Nursery to reflect expanded plant offerings beyond wetland herbaceous species and increase production of woody plants.

Responding to Market changes, Octoraro shifts focus to exclusively growing native trees and shrubs for riparian buffers and reforestation. We introduce our signature Container Seedling system, known for exceptional survival rates in the field.

Octoraro partners with LandStudies to build a managed wetland along the Octoraro Creek at the lower end of the nursery property.

Octoraro increases production capabilities and adds a Pot-in-Pot production area for growing #5 and #7 containers. This method of growing provides protection to the root zone from severe high and low temperatures, reduces water usage, and keeps plants stable from wind.

ONPN becomes a key partner in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone Ten Million Trees initiative.

We streamlined operations, consolidating from four sites to two. Construction of the new Ticklewood propagation facility in Chester County is completed, boosting efficiency and propagation facilites. 

Leveraging the new facilities and the expertise of the propagation team Octoraro is more streamlined than ever before.

As founders Mark Gutshall and Jim MacKenzie look to the future, a transition of ownership to Kevin and Claire Zuidervliet begins, ensuring the nursery’s commitment to stewardship continues for the next generation.