Contact your local forestry field office before collecting to confirm whether there is still a need, get collection tips, or ask about potential collection locations and opportunities. Be sure to check regulations and follow safe practices. Access current seed and cone pricing.
Cone identification
Cones are about half an inch long and oval with lots of thin, overlapping scales that become flexible as cones mature.
Collect when cones are deep purple or brown. Seeds inside the cones can mature before cones look fully ripe.
Predicted collection window: September to February.
Black spruce cones that are ready to harvest are about half an inch long, deep purple to brown, and free of damage.
Perform a quality check: When sliced in half, black spruce cones that are ready to harvest should contain at least four seeds per cone.
How to collect ripe cones
Collect only closed, semi-ripe to ripe cones. Seeds in cones may mature before cones appear fully ripe.
Only collect from trees of natural origin, not from trees purchased at a nursery.
Hand pick from standing trees. Snip cones at the base with clippers or tree pole pruners. Cones tend to be higher on the tree.
Collect from felled trees or squirrel caches only if cones are closed and have no insect damage. Forestry area offices can help coordinate collecting from trees cut in a harvest.
Quality check: Slice a few cones in half to see if they contain at least four seeds per cone.
Mature seed should be firm and not milky with a black seed coat and firm white embryo.
Do not collect cones that are fully green or purplish green, have insect holes, or are already opening.
Quick tree identification
Black spruce needles are half an inch long. Needles are four-sided, bluish green and sharp.
Black spruce bark is gray to reddish-brown and scaly. These trees are mostly located in northern Minnesota, extending to northern Anoka County. Commonly found in marshes or bogs.
Forecasting
Big cone crops occur every two to eight years.
Cones develop in summer and mature in fall.
Look for unripe cones starting in late June to prepare for late summer collection.
Cones can open early if weather is warm.
Handling and storage
Store cones in a cool, dry area to reduce mold and prevent opening. Cones can open quickly in humidity and release seeds.
Deliver them to a forestry area office as soon as possible. Contact your local forestry field office to schedule a drop-off.
Do not collect black spruce cones that are already opening, fully green or have insect holes.
Look-alike species to avoid
🚫 Norway spruce is often found in urban settings. Needles are longer, measuring up to 1 inch long. Cones are also larger, measuring up to 6 inches. Needles are shiny and dark green with branches that look droopy.
🚫 Colorado blue spruce is often found in urban settings. Blue spruce needles are a distinct silver-blue color compared to black spruce needles.