SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) George O. White Tree Nursery in Licking is currently purchasing seed from the public for a variety of tree and shrub species. The nursery conducts seed collections annually, and collected seeds are grown into bare root seedlings.

People can bring their seed to MDC’s Sedalia Office at 2000 South Limit Avenue in Sedalia by appointment or from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. on the below dates. To set up an appointment outside of the listed dates, please email Mary Lass at mary.lass@mdc.mo.gov.

• Aug. 19
• Aug. 22
• Sept. 9
• Oct. 7
• Oct. 17
• Oct. 21
• Oct. 28
• Nov. 4
• Dec. 2

Those who bring seed to the Sedalia Office will receive a payment voucher. Payment will be made after the seed is accepted by the nursery. The nursery will quit accepting seed once the quota has been reached for that tree or shrub, so it would be best to call or email ahead to be sure there is still a need for the seed before collecting. The nursery reserves the right to stop buying seed once needs are met. The nursery also reserves the right to reject seed that is poor quality, is not mature, or is mixed with refuse such as leaves and twigs.

Questions about tree species or how to check to see if the seed is good can contact Mary Lass at (660) 530-5500 ext. 4818. More information about seed quality and ripeness can be received from George O. White Nursery Manager Mike Fiaoni at Michael.fiaoni@mdc.mo.gov.

The nursery is currently accepting the seed below (prices are by the pound):

Starting July 10

• Black Cherry, (fruit must be ripe, black in color), $6.00
• Wild Plum, (fruit must be ripe, yellow, red, or orange) $1.95

Starting July 31

• Elderberry, (fruit must be ripe, purple to black in color, and fruit only, no clusters), $4.25

Starting Aug. 14

• Witchhazel, (seed inside pod must be black in color), $4.50

Starting August 28

• Hazelnut, (seed must be mature, light brown and easily pulled from husk, no green or partially green husks will be accepted), $4.75
• Spicebush, $4.25

Starting Sept. 11

• Gray Dogwood, $5.00
• Flowering Dogwood, $5.00
• Roughleaf Dogwood, $4.75
• Mixed Hickory, $0.75
• Shellbark Hickory, $0.90
• Persimmon, (fruit must be ripe, yellow, red, or orange), $0.75
• Redbud, (pods must be brown and have, on overage, 3 seeds per pod that are light brown and filled, not black), $4.00 in pods
• Paw Paw, (fruit must be soft as firm fruit will not be accepted), $1.50

Starting Sept. 25

• White Oak, $0.95
• Chinkapin Oak, $2.50
• Post Oak, $1.50
• Butternut, $3.00
• Ohio Buckeye, (without hulls), $0.95
• Red Buckeye, (without hulls), $0.95
• Eastern Wahoo, $6.50

Starting Oct. 2

• Black Oak, $0.85
• Shumard Oak, $0.95
• Northern Red Oak, $0.95\
• Pin Oak, $1.25
• Cherrybark Oak, $1.85
• Nuttall Oak, $1.85
• Swamp White Oak, $1.50
• Swamp Chestnut Oak, $1.50
• Overcup Oak, $1.50
• Willow Oak, $1.85

Starting Oct. 23