Missouri Conservation Department buying seeds from public to grow native trees

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White Tree Nursery is asking for citizens assistance in collecting seeds to grow native trees across the state.

With a shortage of seed collection contractors, the department is now purchasing seeds directly from the public.

Prices for these seeds range from $0.75 to $8 per pound depending on the species, which include aromatic sumac, serviceberry, black cherry and white oak.

Seeds must be mature and of good quality, and can be dropped off at the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office or the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

“The state nursery ships out something like 2 million seedlings a year,” said Laci Prucinsky, Nature Center Manager. “They used to work with contractors, but there aren’t as many of those anymore. So we’ve instead turned to Missouri citizens.”

The collected seeds are planted at the nursery and eventually sold as seedlings for habitat restoration, erosion control, or backyard landscaping. “They were grown in Missouri, they’re from Missouri,” Prucinsky said. “When we use things that are native to the space, we’re helping to support and build that connection.”

That connection benefits local wildlife. Native trees support birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, while preventing the spread of things like the Callery pear.

Seedlings from the nursery are also being planted in the Cape Girardeau area parks to restore natural habitats and serve as outdoor learning spaces for students in the area. “We’ve planted trees from the nursery,” Prucinsky said. “We’ve done prescribed burns and even used ‘hack and squirt’ techniques to clear out unwanted species before planting white oak seedlings.”

Tree growth timelines can be different by species, with some ready in a few years and others taking up to a decade. Still, Prucinsky says every seed helps. “Every seed collected can make an impact on Missouri’s future wildlife and habitats.”

For more information, call (573) 290-5730 or visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website.