Missouri Can Buys Native Seeds for Tree Seedling Program

By Blake Jackson

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is inviting the public to sell native fruits and seeds for use in its annual tree seedling production program.

Collections will take place from August 1 through November 26 at MDC’s Ozark Regional Office in West Plains, with all seeds grown into bare-root seedlings at the George O. White State Forest Nursery in Licking.

The nursery purchases seeds throughout the season to support conservation efforts and provide seedlings for landowners across Missouri. Seed collections are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Because each species has a collection quota, sellers are encouraged to contact the office before delivering seeds to confirm they are still being accepted.

MDC Seed Buying Schedule

Available Now (Aug. 1):

• Serviceberry – $7/lb.
• Black Cherry – $6/lb.
• Wild Plum – $1.95/lb.

Beginning Aug. 24:

• Hazelnut – $4.75/lb.

Beginning Sept. 8:

• Flowering Dogwood – $5/lb.
• Mixed Hickory – $0.75/lb.
• Shellbark Hickory – $0.90/lb.
• Persimmon – $0.75/lb.
• Paw Paw – $1.50/lb.

Beginning Sept. 21:

• White Oak – $0.95/lb.
• Chinkapin Oak – $2.50/lb.
• Post Oak – $1.50/lb.
• Butternut – $3/lb.
• Ohio Buckeye – $0.95/lb.
• Red Buckeye – $0.95/lb.

Beginning Oct. 1:

• Pin Oak – $1.25/lb.

Beginning Oct. 22:

• Deciduous Holly – $4.50/lb.

Beginning Nov. 26:

• Kentucky Coffee Tree Seed – $4.50/lb.

MDC will only purchase mature, clean, and high-quality seeds, reserving the right to reject materials that are immature or mixed with debris. A special use permit is required to collect fruits and seeds from Missouri conservation areas.

Collected seeds are transported to the George O. White State Forest Nursery, where they are grown into seedlings used in conservation projects and sold to the public.

Each year, the nursery fulfills more than 10,000 orders and distributes approximately 2 million seedlings, requiring thousands of pounds of seed to sustain its large-scale reforestation and habitat restoration efforts.

Photo Credit: missouri-department-of-conservation