Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced it is seeking help from the public to collect red and white pine cones for its ongoing reforestation program. The effort, led by the DNR’s state nurseries, involves paying individuals who gather and deliver mature pine cones to designated buying stations throughout the state.

"The state nurseries will pay collectors to bring in these cones," said Joseph Vande Hey, Wisconsin DNR reforestation team leader at the Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel. "We have a network of seed- and cone-buying stations scattered across the state."

According to DNR officials, early September marks the best period for collecting mature red and white pine cones. This is when the cones have turned brown but their scales remain closed, preventing seeds from being released prematurely.

The compensation offered by the DNR is $125 per bushel for red pine cones and $70 per bushel for white pine cones. A bushel is roughly equivalent to two 5-gallon buckets. The agency notes that experienced collectors can typically gather a bushel of red pine cones within two to three hours if there is a strong crop, while picking a bushel of larger white pine cones usually takes about an hour.

To participate in this collection effort, individuals are asked to first contact one of the three state nurseries—Griffith Nursery in Wisconsin Rapids (715-424-3700), Wilson Nursery in Boscobel (608-375-4123), or Hayward Nursery in Hayward (715-492-1204)—to confirm that purchasing is still open before starting their search. Regulations may require permits on public lands, while private land collection needs explicit permission from landowners.

Collected seeds must come from natural sources; trees located in residential yards are not suitable for seed harvest. The DNR advises using gloves during collection to avoid sap exposure and recommends handheld landscaping shears for removing cones safely from trees without causing significant harm.

After harvesting, cones should be stored in breathable containers kept cool and dry until they can be delivered to one of the buying stations. If collections contain excessive debris or do not meet quality standards, they may be rejected or result in reduced payment.

It is important not to confuse red or white pines with other species such as Austrian or Scotch pine. According to guidance provided by the DNR, Scotch pine features flaky orange bark toward its upper stem and green twisted cones even at maturity, while Austrian pine is more commonly found in urban areas with darker bark and a stockier appearance. For assistance with tree identification, collectors can refer to resources like the Forest Trees of Wisconsin booklet.

For further details about selling collected seeds and additional requirements, interested participants are encouraged to visit the DNR’s Sell Tree Seed webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/treeplanting/sellseeds

Joseph Vande Hey emphasized that participation supports statewide reforestation efforts by ensuring a reliable supply of local seed stock used for future planting projects.