MDC buying native tree seeds, nuts, and fruit in Chillicothe

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will be buying bulk native fruit, nuts, and seeds from the public for a variety of tree and shrub species around northwest Missouri in September, October, and November at its Chillicothe Office, 15368 LIV 2386. The select fruit, nuts, and seeds will be purchased by the pound. 

The office will buy seeds, nuts, and fruit on the following dates, or by appointment starting Sept. 8: Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Call the MDC Chillicothe Office at 660-646-6122 to confirm it is still buying seeds and fruit, to make an appointment, or for more information.

Seeds, Fruits, and Nuts Needed

• Mixed Hickory: Accepting nuts starting Sept. 8 at $.75 per pound of fruit. Hickory nuts ripen around September through October.
• Shellbark Hickory: Accepting nuts starting Sept. 8 at $.90 per pound of fruit. Nuts ripen around September through October.
• Persimmon: Accepting fruit starting Sept. 8 at $.75 per pound of fruit. Fruit must be ripe (soft). No partially green fruit will be bought. Peak ripening is around Mid-October through November.
• Pawpaw: Accepting fruit starting Sept. 8 at $1.50 per pound of fruit. Fruit must be ripe with a yellow skin color. Fruit with green skin will  not be bought. Peak ripening is around Sept. 8.
• Butternut: Accepting fruit starting Sept. 21 at $3 per pound of fruit. Peak ripening is around September through October.
• Ohio Buckeye: Accepting nuts starting Sept. 21 at $.95 per pound of seed. Clean seed only. Hulls must be removed. Peak ripening is around September through Early October. 
• Red Buckeye: Accepting nuts starting Sept. 21 at $.95 per pound of seed. Clean seed only. Hulls must be removed. 
• White Oak: Accepting acorns starting Sept. 21 at $.95 per pound of acorn. Acorns ripen around September through October.
• Post Oak: Accepting acorns starting Sept. 21 at $1.50 per pound of acorn. Acorns ripen around September through October.
• Chinkapin Oak: Accepting acorns starting Sept. 21 at $2.50 per pound of acorn. Acorns ripen around September through October.
• Pin Oak: Accepting acorns starting Oct. 1 at $1.25 per pound of acorn. Acorns ripen around September through October.
• Kentucky Coffee: Accepting seeds starting Nov. 26 at $8 per pound of seed. No pods. Seeds must be clean. Peak ripening is around October

MDC reserves the right to stop buying seed once needs are met and reserves the right to reject seeds that are poor quality, not mature, or mixed with refuse such as leaves and twigs. 

A special use permit is required to collect fruit and seeds on conservation areas. Learn more at www.mdc.mo.gov/permits/special-use-permits.

What Happens to Collected Seeds

Collected seeds are taken to MDC’s George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Nursery staff grow the collected seed into bare root seedlings used for conservation work and available for purchase by the public. Each year the State Forest Nursery processes more than 10,000 orders and ships about 2 million seedlings. To grow all these species, the nursery collects or buys tens of thousands of pounds of seeds each summer and fall. For example, about 2,000 bushels of walnuts, 6,000 pounds of white oak acorns, 500 pounds of hazelnuts, and 500 pounds of plum seed are needed just to establish seedlings for these four species. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings/about-missouris-state-forest-nursery.