Healthy Forests

Our Glorious Forests: State Forest Nursery

Size of nursery area: 750 acres

Location: In Texas County north of Licking on Highway 63, 1 mile west on Route CC, then 2 miles south on Shafer Road

Highlights: Quercus Flatwoods Natural Area (48 acres of post oak flatwoods), picnic area, 50 acres of seedbeds, 3-acre fishing lake and staffed office

Call for more info: (573) 674-3229

You could think of the George O. White State Forest Nursery as Missouri’s cradle of conservation. The U.S. Forest Service launched it in the 1930s to support reforestation efforts. After World War II, they transferred use and, eventually, full ownership of the nursery to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Today, manager Greg Hoss and his staff continue the nursery’s original conservation mission, tending 50 acres of seedbeds and raising 6 to 7 million mostly native tree and shrub seedlings a year. Between November and May, they ship an average of 5 million seedlings to Missourians for the purpose of wildlife habitat restoration, reforestation and erosion control. “This is our 60th year of distribution,” Greg says. “We have landowners that have been ordering trees from us for decades.” Named in honor of Missouri’s first state forester, George O. White, the nursery invites visitors to tour the nursery and fish the area’s 3-acre lake.

Outstanding Tree Farmer

Hunt club wins recognition for forest management.

The Missouri Tree Farm Committee has awarded Pike County’s Malinmor Hunt Club its American Tree Farm System® “Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year” award for 2007. This competition recognizes private landowners for exceptional efforts to enhance their forestland. To qualify for the award, landowners must be members of the American Tree Farm program and follow a management or stewardship plan for their property. To learn more about qualifying for this award, call your Department of Conservation regional office.

We All Live in a Forest

Trees shade and cool fish habitat.

Did you notice your surroundings the last time you landed a fat trout or smallmouth bass? Most likely you were standing in a shady stream or by a shaded lake. This connection between trees and game fish is no accident. Fish and their habitat depend on trees to keep them shady and cool. Forests also create specific types of fish habitat. Trees’ root systems reinforce stream banks, reduce erosion and create banks where lunkers can hide. In addition, forests provide large, woody debris that creates fish habitat, and falling leaves provide an energy source for the insects that fish feed on. If a stream runs through your land, you can ensure its health with sustainable forest management.