Also known as eastern arborvitae
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
Ripe cones are about one-third to a half-inch long and oblong. They turn from green to straw yellow and light brown as they ripen. Seeds inside the cones can mature before cones look fully ripe.
Predicted collection window: August to October.
Ripe white cedar cones are about one-third to a half-inch long and straw yellow to light brown in color.
How to collect ripe cones
Collect only ripe cones that are free of damage.
Only collect from trees of natural origin, not from trees purchased at a nursery.
Hand-pick or strip from standing trees. Avoid collecting leaves and branches.
Perform a quality check: pull a few cones apart to see if they contain at least seven seeds per cone.
Mature seeds are thin, measure 3 to 4 mm long and almond shaped with "wings" on both sides. Seed coat is brown with firm white embryo.
Do not collect cones that are already opening, completely green, blackened from previous years or have insect holes.
Quick tree identification
White cedar leaves are scalelike, flat and have soft or dull tips. These trees are mostly located in northern Minnesota, sometimes on stony ground, but can be found as far south as Winona County.
White cedar bark is gray to reddish brown, separating in vertical, shreddy strips.
Forecasting
Big cone crops occur every three to five years.
Cones develop in late spring and mature in fall.
Cones mature more slowly on trees near large bodies of water.
Look for unripe cones starting in May to prepare for late summer collection.
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 cones that are already opening, completely green, blackened from previous years or have insect holes.
Look-alike species to avoid
🚫 Variety of cultivars. There are more than 100 different cultivars of white cedar. Please do not collect from trees purchased at a commercial nursery.