A century ago, many of the trees now growing in Montana's mountains were just seedlings.
Many were planted after 'The Great Burn of 1910,' when fires raged through three-million acres of forest, most of it in northern Idaho and western Montana.
The seed stock that reforested those burned areas came from a Forest Service nursery in Haugan.
The Historic Savenac Nursery was established in 1907.
Today, the former nursery is a destination spot for travelers and educators, and a touchstone of Montana history.
The Forest Service was only two-years-old when forester Elers Koch passed through the area on his honeymoon.
"He was riding past with his bride," said Lolo National Forest West Zone archaeologist Erika Scheuring. "He saw this abandoned homestead by a German settler named Savenac."
The first Supervisor of the Lolo National Forest thought it would be a perfect location for a tree nursery.
The Savenac seedlings would be used to replace trees that were harvested through logging.
"In 1908, our first seedlings were planted," said Erika, " and two years later was 'The Great Burn,' the 1910 fire."
The fire killed 87 people.
It burned entire towns.
It took Savenac too.
"The only thing that remained," said Erika, " were the seedlings that were irrigated and planted in 1908."
After the fire, those seedlings were needed more than ever.
The nursery expanded.
"By 1916, on annual, there were three-million seedlings that came from Savenac," said Erika. "They were dispersed across Montana, Idaho and into Wyoming."
After 1910, the East Arboretum at Savenac was established for visitors.
It showcases several tree species, including a 1910 survivor.
The Western larch that towers over the arboretum was Elers Koch's favorite tree.
"The Elers Koch tree," said Erika, "would provide seeds to plant across Montana and Idaho."
By The Great Depression the nursery expanded even more.
The Civilian Conservation Corps installed Camp Taft at Savenac.
Young men from the CCC grew, harvested and planted millions of trees.
They also built bridges and buildings that are still used today.
Robert Webb is a lead volunteer at Savenac.
He helps oversee the grounds.
Standing before one of the larger white structures on the grounds he said," this building is the original Administration Building."
"It currently holds a museum," he said, "and is a visitors center."
The CCC built cottages that are now available for guests to rent.
"These were built by the CCC in the thirties and early 40's," said Robert. " You can tell by the architecture they are similar to other CCC buildings that have been built across the entire United States."
At the entrance of Savenac is a statue they call 'Iron Mike.'
Erika said Mike represents the "strength and integrity" of the CCC. "These were the young guys we needed to plow the fields and build the roads and buildings."
The Savenac Nursery closed in 1969.
Operations moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
But Savenac has a new mission.
"It might be passed its prime as a nursery," said Superior District Ranger Carole Johnson," but it's just coming into its prime as a recreation and heritage site."
Carole said after the nursery closed, timber and trail crews and the Young Adult Conservation Corps used the site.
But through the years, it began to fall into disrepair.
"It was high grass," she said. " Knapweed was coming in. Windows were being broken out of the buildings."
In the 1980's and 90's, Savenac enlisted volunteers to keep the grounds and buildings up and to greet visitors.
Carole Johnson spearheaded the project.
" It started with a bucket of paint trying to restore some of the buildings ," she said, and the volunteer program came into its own.
Robert Webb is a retired accountant who has been volunteering here for nine seasons.
This winter he will volunteer at a Forest Service recreation site in Oregon.
But he'll be back at Savenac next summer.
"Savenac is one of those places that has a draw," he said. "It just pulls you in and it makes you want to be a part of it."
"When you look at Savenac, the history of the site very closely mirrors the history of our agency," said Carole. "You have the history of the CCC, the history of fire. A historic landscape."
Visitors use the site as a starting off point for hiking, skiing, hunting and fishing.
It's a popular draw for schools.
"Superior Schools has brought their 6th grade class up here for over 50 years," said Carole. "It's a pilot program for the state of Montana for outdoor education."
With its groomed lawns, Tudor style immaculate buildings, and shady nooks, Savenac is breathtakingly beautiful.
But for years, it's struggled with aging infrastructure.
"We've been approved through the Great American Outdoors Act for some major work," said Carole . "That's going to take care of some deferred maintenance that we've had for several years."
Included in the project will be a new well and wastewater system.
Carole said it will help guarantee a new chapter for Savenac, insuring that families can "spread out and enjoy the peace and beauty that's here."
One of Savenac's most peaceful spots is the Memorial Garden.
With its towering trees you can't help but feel that this is a sacred place.
"The 1910 Memorial Garden was planted by the CCC," said Erika. " There are 78 trees planted here, one for each firefighter that lost their lives in the 1910 fire."
Erika takes NBC Montana to a large rock surrounded with greenery.
The rock was a gift to Savenac from the CCC in memory of the firefighters who died.
At its base, grow irises that originated from the old Savenac homestead so many years ago.
This is a place lush with growth.
"Walk the grounds, and you're struck by just how stunning it is.
But it also reminds you what a great gift it was, and continues to be for conservation.
It might make you want to plant a tree.