Money does grow on trees: DNR to pay public for collected red pine cones

AKELEY — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has increased its payment for clean, ripe and closed red pine cones to $95 per bushel. The agency says this year is expected to have the best crop of cones for Minnesota’s state tree in a decade.

The boost in cone production occurs around once every ten years. Pine cone collectors can help take advantage of the bumper crop and support red pine growth by joining in on cone collection for the State Forest Nursery. Collecting local seeds helps to ensure those planted in the state’s woodlands are adapted to our climate and improve forest resiliency.

New this year, collectors are required to register before selling cones to the DNR. The DNR will only accept red pine cones that are closed and high quality. Collectors should also be mindful to not confuse red pine with Scotch, Austrian and Ponderosa pine.

The cones begin to ripen in September and typically last through October.

You can learn more by calling your local forestry office, looking at the DNR’s red pine seed collection guide at their website or attending at a free, in-person workshop.

The next workshop will be 3-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Carlton County Seed Orchard, near Carlton.