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
White pine cones are about 4-8 inches long, slender and long, usually covered in sap. Collect when cones are starting to turn from green to purple, brown, or tan.
Predicted collection window: August to October.
White pine cones that are ready to harvest are about 4 to 8 inches long, purple, brown or tan, and free of damage.
Perform a quality check: When sliced in half, white pine cones that are ready to harvest should contain at least 8 seeds per cone.
How to collect ripe cones
Collect only closed, semi-ripe to ripe cones. Seeds in cones usually mature before cones appear fully ripe.
Only collect from trees of natural origin, not from trees purchased at a nursery.
Cones cluster near the top of trees. Professionals can climb or use ladders and then snip cones at the base with clippers or tree pole pruners. Gloves are recommended due to sap.
Collect from felled trees or squirrel caches only if cones are closed and have no insect damage.
Quality check: Slice a few cones in half to see if they contain at least 8 seeds per cone.
Mature seed should be firm and not milky.
Do not collect cones that are fully green, have insect holes, or are already opening.
Quick tree identification
White pine needles are long, generally 2.5 to 5 inches. ID trick: White has five letters, needles are in bundles of five.
White pine bark is gray-brown. Young trees have smooth bark and older trees have deep furrows. These trees are mostly located in northern, central and eastern Minnesota.
Forecasting
Big cone crops occur every one to seven years.
Cones take two years to fully mature. Immature cones or conelets are small and pink.
Current-year cones are bright green and close to full size. They turn tan and brown as they ripen. Look for them starting in June to prepare for fall 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 white pine cones that are fully green, have insect holes or are already opening.