
Paid For Pine Cones? Minnesota DNR Now Offering Bounty For Certain Varieties
People in Northern Minnesota could get some extra cash for collecting pine cones for the DNR.
The Minnesota DNR recently put out a call to the public looking for two specific varieties of pine cones, offering to pay for them.
Here's what they're looking for, how to participate, and how to get paid.
Why pay for pine cones?
The Minnesota DNR has a seed and cone collection program designed to help their forestry division with reforestation efforts in places like state forests, parks, schools and on private lands across Minnesota.
The program aims to collect local seeds and cones from trees that have adapted to the specific climate of Minnesota, with some collection efforts aimed at collecting from only certain parts of the state to match the area in which they will be planted.
The Minnesotan DNR's nursery program relies on collection efforts from the public, paying for collected seeds and cones based on their needs.
What kinds of pine cones is the Minnesota DNR paying for?
While this DNR program collects a variety of different types of seeds and cones depending on need and season, they are currently putting out the call for two specific types of pine cones.
What varieties they're looking for? Black spruce and jack pine cones from northeastern and northwestern parts of Minnesota.
Before going out to just start collecting pine cones and looking to get paid, there are some things to know.
What do I need to know to get paid for pine cones?
As the DNR explained in a Facebook post, you'll want to call the local DNR Forestry office to confirm some important details and get collection tips.
They are currently looking for these black spruce and jack pine cones from two specific locations - the Northeast and Northwest zones, as seen in the map above.
Collection locations include offices in Baudette, Bemidji, Cloquet, Deer River, Hibbing, Littlefork, Orr, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad, and the State Forest Nursery near Akeley.

While you'll want to contact the local forestry office (which you can find here), here are some general collection tips and photos about black spurce and jack pine cones. Key things to know are that the cones need to be ripe, closed, and free of stems and debris.
They also have a video about black spruce cone collection for a quick overview.
How much can you get paid for pine cones in Minnesota?
Different types of seeds and pine cones have different going rates, all paid by the bushel.
The going rates for black spruce cones from the Minnesota DNR is currently $100/bushel, while jack pine cones are $30/bushel.
The highest-paying seeds/cones are sugar maple, at $180/bushel. Meanwhile, the lowest-paying variety of tree seed/cone is black walnut at $5/bushel. The DNR is not always looking for every variety of seed or cone they buy.
Seasons and needs dictate when they undergo paid collection efforts, which is another reason why you'll want to contact your local forestry office before you just start collecting seeds or cones.
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Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper
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