MDC buying tree seed

The Missouri Department of Conservation will again be buying tree and shrub seed. Every fall throughout the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation has seed buying stations. The Chillicothe office is one of those stations. This seed collected in Chillicothe and other collection points are shipped to the Licking Nursery and used for producing the seedlings that are sold to the public every spring. Most seed is purchased by the pound except walnut which is by the bushel. Prices for the seed are established by the nursery based on the number of seeds per pound and need.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will purchase tree seeds at the Chillicothe Office from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 30, Oct. 12, Oct. 18, and Oct. 27.

The office is located on the south side of Highway 36 across from the Chillicothe airport. Seeds that are collected from “wild” trees are preferred to that of nursery bought and planted trees. Acorns may include caps, walnut and hickory may include the hulls with the seed. Seeds should be relatively clean and free of dirt, rocks, twigs and leaves.

Hazelnut is needed this year and will be purchased at 75 cents per pound with the husk on. Almost all species of oak will be purchased, especially red, white, swamp white and bur oaks. We reserve the right to stop buying seed once our needs are met. Please call our office to find out if we are still buying before you collect and bring in seed.

We also reserve the right to reject trashy or poor quality seed. For more information, call 660-646-6122.