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How to get paid collecting conifer cones in northern MN

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Published  January 7, 2025 5:43pm CST
Minnesota DNR
FOX 9

The Brief

    • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is buying black spruce and jack pine cones at $100 and $30 per bushel, respectively. Cones must be ripe, closed, and clean​.
    • Black spruce grows in northern lowlands, while jack pines thrive in sandy soils of northern and central Minnesota.
    • Interested collectors should use DNR's tree identification guides to ensure proper species collection​.

(FOX 9) - Collecting certain conifer cones in Minnesota could make you some money this winter.

State paying for cones

What we know:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery is offering $100 for a bushel of "healthy, viable" black spruce cones and $30 per bushel of jack pine cones.

A bushel is equal to about nine gallons.

Again, the DNR notes that the cones must be "ripe, closed, and free of stems and debris." The DNR says black spruce trees typically grow in northern lowland bogs and wetlands. Jack pines, however, are found in sandy, well-drained soils in northern and central Minnesota.

What you can do:

State officials urge anyone interested in collecting cones to make sure they can properly identify the cones before collecting. The DNR offers guides for identifying the right trees: Jack Pine and Black Spruce.

Drop off stations for the cones are available at DNR offices in:

  • Baudette (206 Main Street E)
  • Bemidji (2220 Bemidji Avenue)
  • Cloquet (305 E. Business Park Drive)
  • Deer River (403 Division Street)
  • Hibbing (1208 E Howard Street)
  • Littlefork (421 3rd Avenue)
  • Orr (4656 Highway 53)
  • Tower (650 Highway 169)
  • Two Harbors (1568 Highway 2)
  • Warroad (804 Cherne Drive NW)
  • The State Forest Nursery near Akeley (13885 State Highway 64)
Minnesota DNRMinnesotaWild NatureEnvironment