JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The George O. White State Nursery will begin taking orders for native trees and shrubs on Sept. 3.
MDC’s George O. White State Forest Nursery offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for sale for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes.
The nursery provides mainly 1-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: Pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, buttonbush, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel and others. MDC recommends ordering early for the best selection.
“The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly,” said Forest Nursery Supervisor Mike Fiaoni. “And some seedlings occasionally succumb to harsh weather or hungry wildlife, despite the nursery staff’s best efforts.”
Fiaoni added that even if a species is listed as “sold out,” customers can still place an order for those seedlings because other orders may get cancelled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship.
Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 40 cents to $1.17 per seedling. Sales tax will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is a shipping fee and a $9 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Conservation ID Number. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the the Licking nursery from February through May.
Orders can be placed beginning Sept. 3 through April 15. Place orders online at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings.
Learn more from MDC’s 2024-2025 Seedling Order Form. Find it in the September issue of the Missouri Conservationist, at MDC regional offices and nature centers or by contacting the nursery at 573-674-3229 or StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov.