If you collect the right seeds this summer and fall, the Missouri Department of Conservation will buy them from you

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White Tree Nursery near Licking is buying seeds from the public for several different tree and shrub species. The nursery collects seeds every year, and these seeds are then grown into bare-root seedlings. The nursery will stop accepting seeds once the quota has been met for that specific tree or shrub. Starting this coming Monday, they will begin buying elderberry seeds. The fruit must be ripe, purple to black in color, and consist of fruit only. Seeds will be accepted at the Missouri Department of Conservation regional office at 3500 Gans Road in Columbia on August 11th and 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other dates will be September 15th, 22nd, and 29th and on several days in October. Starting August 28th, the Conservation Department nursery will be buying hazelnut seeds and spicebush seeds. Hazelnuts must be mature, light brown in color, and easily pulled from the husk. No green or partially green husks will be accepted. In September, the nursery will be interested in purchasing Black Gum, Shellbark Hickory, persimmon, redbud, white oak, and other shrub and tree seeds. For more information, call the George O. White Nursery at 573-674-3229, or e-mail [email protected].