White pine tree seed needed for state forest nursery
HAYWARD, Wis. – Individuals and groups can earn some extra money while helping state tree nurseries produce tree seedlings for forestry efforts in Wisconsin by collecting and selling tree seeds to the state tree nurseries program.
“This year we have a particular need for white pine seed,” said Gordy Christians, supervisor of the Department of Natural Resources Hayward nursery. The state is paying $20 a bushel for white pine cones this year. There is also a statewide need for sugar maple, basswood, and black cherry.
“People can collect tree seed from their own private forests, they can gain permission from landowners before collecting cones or seed, or they can collect them from public lands after first inquiring and receiving any necessary permits,” Christians says.
Christians offers these tips for potential white pine collectors.
1. White pine cones are usually collected starting in late August to mid September when the cones begin to turn brown but before they open. Look for trees with green cones hanging in the crowns. This year many trees have a bumper crop making branches droop.
2. The nursery wants only mature cones that are full of pitch and are at least slightly green. The seed inside the cone should have a brown seed coat and be white and firm. Occasionally, break a cone in half to check the seeds inside. Do not collect the many immature and aborted cones (beetle infected) that fell in the last weeks of July. These cones will look shriveled and dry and the seed in them will not be fully formed.
3. There is huge white pine cone crop this year from Grantsburg to Hayward to Bayfield. Trees in other areas may also have good crops.
4. Red squirrels will cut white pine cones and store them in holes or caches. Look under trees for freshly cut cones. Look in the general area for piles of gathered cones -- caches may be under logs, in holes or depressions in the ground, or right out in the open. Watch and listen for the squirrels. Other potential cone collecting sites include active logging jobs and trees damaged by wind storms.
5. Hot dry weather will mature the cones rapidly. When they open and the seeds fall out the nursery will no longer purchase them.
6. Store collected cones in a cool dry location. Use containers that allow air circulation - do not use plastic garbage bags for storage longer than a day.
7. Bring collected cones to the nursery or one of our buying stations frequently -- cones incorrectly stored will spoil, killing the seeds in them.
8. This year the state will be purchasing 2,200 bushels of white pine cones.
Christians said that some buying stations may have limited hours when they will be open for seed buying so be sure to call ahead.
Information on what to pick, when to pick, and tips on how to pick seed can be answered by calling the 1-800-875-9050, the Hayward Nursery at (715) 634-2717 or by visiting DNR seed purchase program pages of the DNR Web site. Payment for seed is through a voucher system with a check sent within three weeks.
As the season progresses Christians said seed goals for some species will be fulfilled and purchasing for those species will stop. Collectors should check in with the nursery before picking seed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gordon Christians (715) 634-2717
