DNR urging residents to collect red and white pine cone for its reforestation program

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking for your help in collecting red and white pine cones for its reforestation program.

The state nurseries pays $125 per bushel of red pine cones and $60 per bushel of white pine cones. A bushel is 8 gallons and experienced collectors can pick a bushel of red pine cones in about 2-3 hours. White pine cones are larger, so picking a bushel usually takes about an hour.

How to collect

Before collecting cones, contact one of the state nurseries to ensure purchasing is still open

• Griffith Nursery-Wisconsin Rapids 715-424-3700
• Wilson Nursery-Boscobel 608-375-4123
• Hayward Nursery-715-492-1204
• All seeds must be of natural origin. Trees in your yard are not appropriate for seed harvest.
• When mature, the seed within will develop a dark brown seed coat with a papery light brown wing. The perfect time to pick up the cones is before the cone opens.
• Wear gloves so your hands don't get covered in sap.
• Picking is easiest and safest for the collector and the tree when done from the ground using handheld landscaping shears.
• A quick snip leaves a small wound on the tree and a clean cone. Then, a collector just needs to store the cones in a cool, dry area until they can be transported to a seed collection site.

How to sell

• Store the cones in a breathable containers in a cool. dry place.
• Deliver the cones to one of the DNR buying stations as soon as possible. If excess debris is mixed with the cones, they may be rejected or a price reduction may be applied. The DNR reserves the right to refuse purchase if the cones don't meet specifications.

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