Collect tree seeds for cash
Indiana’s state tree nurseries in Vallonia and Medaryville may pay you to collect certain tree seed throughout the state.
Each year, the nurseries, part of the DNR Division of Forestry, plant millions of seeds to produce tree and shrub seedlings for conservation planting within the state. Each year much of the seed the nurseries use is supplied by collectors from all over the state. DNR Forestry pays seed collectors on the basis of “pure live seed.” That term means the seeds must be from the required tree species, and cannot be infected with disease or infested with insects.
DNR Forestry’s goal is to produce 2-3 million seedlings each year for conservation plantings. Because of natural factors, achieving that goal requires planting about 8.5 million seeds. DNR Forestry, which operates the nurseries, orchestrates statewide seed collection with the goal of diversifying the seed source. Such diversification allows the nursery to grow seedlings that will be well adapted to grow into mature trees throughout the state.
Some pointers for collecting:
- Always call first to see if the seeds you plan to collect are still needed.
- Collect only seeds and fruit – no leaves, sticks, or trash.
- Keep species separate – if you’re not certain that two (or more) trees are the same species, keep them in separate containers.
- If you are not certain if you have the proper species, email a photo of the seed/fruit, leaves, bark, and twigs to the address below for identification.
- Most of the listed species are ripe and ready to collect when they fall off the tree.
- Healthy acorns (with the exception of bur oak) will fall free of the cap.
- Keep the seeds/fruit cool until you can deliver it to us – an air-conditioned basement is good for a short period of time.
Seed we are seeking this year and collection dates
Below is the seed we are seeking this year and their collection dates. Collection dates are the average dates you can expect to be able to collect seed for the given trees.
| SPECIES | First Date | Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| TULIPTREE | 9/7 | 10/25 |
| PERSIMMON | 9/15 | 9/28 |
| SHAGBARK HICKORY | 9/17 | 11/10 |
| CHINKAPIN OAK | 9/20 | 11/12 |
| RED OAK | 9/20 | 11/24 |
| WHITE OAK | 9/23 | 11/10 |
| SHELLBARK HICKORY | 9/27 | 11/10 |
| SWAMP WHITE OAK | 9/27 | 11/12 |
| BLACK OAK | 9/28 | 11/11 |
| SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK | 9/30 | 11/3 |
| BLACK WALNUT | 10/1 | 10/14 |
| BUR OAK | 10/1 | 11/29 |
| PIN OAK | 10/4 | 11/11 |
Vallonia State Tree Nursery
2782 West 540 South
Vallonia, IN 47281
812-358-3621
vallonianursery@dnr.IN.gov
Seeds needed
| SPECIES | SEEDS | POUNDS | PRICE PER SEED | MINIMUM POUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK GUM | 34,091 | 21 | $0.03 | 1 |
| BLACK OAK | 51,667 | 424 | $0.04 | 10 |
| BLACK WALNUT | 171,435 | 8,638 | $0.015 | 25 |
| BUR OAK | 58,163 | 1,188 | $0.05 | 10 |
| CHINKAPIN OAK | 89,286 | 646 | $0.05 | 5 |
| PAWPAW | 100,000 | 247 | $0.04 | n/a |
| PERSIMMON | 134,615 | 145 | $0.04 | 5 |
| PIN OAK | 29,333 | 143 | $0.04 | 5 |
| RED OAK | 174,375 | 2,744 | $0.04 | 10 |
| SHAGBARK HICKORY | 173,333 | 1,957 | $0.06 | 10 |
| SHELLBARK HICKORY | 74,074 | 2,118 | $0.07 | 10 |
| SWAMP CHESTNUT OAK | 93,750 | 2,032 | $0.05 | 10 |
| SWAMP WHITE OAK | 92,250 | 1,217 | $0.05 | 10 |
| TULIP TREE | 285,714 | 632 | $0.04 | 20 |
| WHITE OAK | 380,952 | 4,118 | $0.04 | 10 |
Jasper-Pulaski State Tree Nursery
15508 West 700 North
Medaryville, IN 47957
219-843-4827
jaspernursery@dnr.IN.gov
Seeds needed
| SPECIES | SEEDS | POUNDS | PRICE PER SEED | MINIMUM POUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK OAK | 15,000 | 123 | $0.04 | 10 |
| BLACK WALNUT | 61,453 | 3,096 | $0.015 | 25 |
| BUR OAK | 100,000 | 2,042 | $0.05 | 10 |
| BUTTERNUT | 13,000 | 744 | $0.06 | n/a |
| HAZELNUT | 20,000 | 46 | $0.05 | 5 |
| PIN OAK | 20,000 | 98 | $0.04 | 5 |
| RED OAK | 50,000 | 787 | $0.04 | 10 |
