Due to budget reductions, we are not buying as many species of seed this year or amounts of seed as we have in the past. We will stop buying once we reach the amount of seed we need for the next planting season.
State Forest Nursery Seed Buying List and Information for Fiscal Year 2027
Call Before Collecting — Seed Buying Stops When Needs Are Met
Please call the nursery before you collect any seed. We are anticipating a decent crop of seed on many species, so buying may start and end very quickly. We will stop buying once we reach the amount of seed we need for the next planting season.
Pick Mature Seed, Not Green Seed
Remember, don’t pick seed early (green). We will not accept seed that we determine is not mature. Hazelnut has been collected too early in prior years, and it’s critical that the seed be light brown and loose from the husk. We will not be buying hazelnut with green or partially green husks.
Questions About Seeds or Seed Quality
We will reject seed that has leaves, twigs, and other trash and seed that is of poor quality or not mature. If you have questions about any seed, bring in a sample and we can identify it and show you what we need. If you need advice on how to check the seed to make sure it is good, please call the nursery.
Address:
14027 Shafer Road, Licking, MO 65542
Phone number:
573-674-3229
Seed buying locations/stations
MDC has seed buying/collection sites across the state. All but one of these sites are at MDC regional offices and one region has two locations. So please call your local MDC regional office or the nursery (573) 674-3229 to find out where and when you can bring your collected seed to. You should also do this before you collect to make sure we have not yet met our quota.
The starting dates for each species are approximate dates based on when the seed may be mature. The timing of seed maturity varies from year to year, so it is important that you wait until the seed is mature before collecting. If you think it is ripening earlier in your area, please call the nursery to see if you can collect it earlier than the below listed dates.
| Species | Price | Date We Will Begin Buying | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serviceberry | $7.00/lb | June 1, 2026 | Fruit must be ripe (purple to black in color). |
| Black Cherry | $6.00/lb | July 6, 2026 | Fruit must be ripe (black in color). |
| Wild Plum | $1.95/lb | July 6, 2026 | Plums must be ripe (yellow, red, or orange). No partially green fruit will be accepted. |
| Hazelnut | $4.75/lb | August 24, 2026 | Seed must be mature, light brown, and easily pulled from the husk. No green or partially green husks will be accepted. |
| Flowering Dogwood | $5.00/lb | September 8, 2026 | |
| Mixed Hickory | $0.75/lb | September 8, 2026 | |
| Shellbark Hickory | $0.90/lb | September 8, 2026 | |
| Persimmon | $0.75/lb | September 8, 2026 | Fruit must be ripe (yellow, red, or orange). No partially green fruit will be accepted. |
| Paw Paw | $1.50/lb | September 8, 2026 | Fruit must be ripe and soft. Fruit that is too firm will not be accepted. |
| Chinkapin Oak | $2.50/lb | September 21, 2026 | |
| Post Oak | $1.50/lb | September 21, 2026 | |
| Butternut | $3.00/lb | September 21, 2026 | |
| Ohio Buckeye (Without Hulls) | $0.95/lb | September 21, 2026 | |
| Red Buckeye (Without Hulls) | $0.95/lb | September 21, 2026 | |
| Pin Oak | $1.25/lb | October 1, 2026 | |
| Deciduous Holly | $4.50/lb | October 22, 2026 | |
| Kentucky Coffee Tree | $8.00/lb | November 26, 2026 | No pods accepted. Clean seed only. |