THINKING AHEAD TO SPRING COULD BENEFIT PLANTING SUCCESS

LICKING, Mo. -- As the chill of autumn turns into the crisp cold of winter, thoughts of what to plant next spring probably aren't foremost in your mind. But now is a great time for considering such things, especially if you want plants native to Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) offers a large variety of trees and shrubs that can help you spruce up your farm or back yard while making it more attractive to wildlife. From now through Feb. 1 Missouri landowners can order nursery stock items from MDC's George O. White Nursery at Licking, Mo.

Most seedlings are sold in bundles of 25, priced from $2 to $6. Two special bundles are available for those who want a variety of plants in smaller quantities. The Conservation Bundle contains five plants each of six species for $10. The Wildlife Cover Bundle, an assortment of 10 plants each of five species, is priced at $12. State sales tax and a $5 dollar handling fee are added to all orders.

MDC forestry Research Specialist Terry Robison says there is a wide range of plants to choose from. "We have several varieties of pine, some hardwoods and shrubs. We're also working in cooperation with a private nursery that provides flowering dogwoods and a naturescaping bundle designed to attract butterflies and birds."

The flowering dogwood and naturescaping bundles are supplied by the Forrest Keeling Nursery in Elsberry, Missouri. An order form for that nursery is included with each MDC application for planting stock.

Nursery stock application forms are available at MDC forestry district offices throughout the state or from: Missouri Department of Conservation Headquarters, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102- 0180. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's best to order early.

In addition to spelling out which plants you want, the order form allows you to specify when you want the plants delivered by mail, or whether you prefer to pick them up at the nursery. MDC sends you a notice two weeks before the delivery date stating what plants it can furnish. This notice also serves as a billing statement. Seedlings are shipped after payment is received. Deliveries take place from February through May.