Native Trees and Shrubs

eastern redbuds provide my apiary with spring food. (charlotte ekker wiggins)

Native Trees and Shrubs

If you want to help bees, the best thing we can all do is plant native tree and shrub seedlings. Some trees and shrubs provide the most flowers in the spring, when bees need the food for their increasing colonies.

Native trees and shrubs feed pollinators as well as help to improve wildlife habitat, conserve soil and water, and improve the appearance and value of private property. And they are easier to plant because they are adjusted to local growing conditions.

One of my favorite places to get Missouri native threes and shrubs is the George O. White State Forest Nursery. They offer a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings starting September 1, 2023 through April 15, 2024.

some of these are excellent bee food for pollinators. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Available Trees and Shrubs

The nursery provides mainly one-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.

Their catalog, available to download online, also offers a helpful grid showing how the seedlings can improve your property from being a wind break to feeding pollinators.

a handy guide helps shoppers decide what to buy. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Order Even If Marked Sold Out

“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.

three ways to order including how to get a discount. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Three Ways to Order

Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 34 cents to $1 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 Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number.

Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery, located near Licking, from February through May. You can designate whether you want your seedlings shipped or picked up when you place your order and when.

There’s also several helpful free guides on tree planting. If you are new to planting seedlings, those will be helpful to get you started in the right direction.

Charlotte