The State Commission of Forestry may grow and sell tree seedlings and transplants to landowners desiring to plant them for reforestation, wildlife, and Christmas tree purposes.

No trees may be sold by the commission under the provisions of this section that are to be planted for table trees, potted trees, or shade trees or for ornamental use. Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the commission from growing seedlings or transplants for distribution to be planted on state or federal lands, public school grounds, and other public institutions or along state highways.

All receipts from the sale of tree seedlings or transplants under the provisions of this section must be retained by the Forestry Commission for use by the commission in the operation of forest tree nurseries and seed orchards.

The commission may refund deposits placed with it for tree seedling orders.

When demand for forest tree seedlings from landowners in this State exceeds the supply available from commission nurseries, the commission may purchase seedlings for resale at cost plus shipping and one dollar a thousand for administrative costs. The revenue received from the resale and distribution of these seedlings must be retained in a seedling purchase revolving fund and expended only for that purpose.