Cone Buying Station Information

During years of high cone production, we open cone-buying stations in select areas throughout the Northwest. The stations that will be opened are listed below along with the species purchased and contact information for the station host. Each station will be opened according to cone ripening in each area, contact your local station host for details.

Cone Buying Stations are closed for the 2024 season. Please check back again in Summer 2025.

Below are the details for proper permitting procedures for cone picking on National Forest lands. Please note all collections on public land require proper permitting.

Olympic National Forest- Washington 

Entire Forest

Headquarters office in Olympia, WA - M, W, and F 8am–3pm  

Also issued from Quinault office, open Wednesday – Saturday, 9am–3pm

Permit Application

Call the Ranger District ahead of time to ensure staff is available. After calling ahead, visit any of the ranger stations listed above during operating hours. Permits are $20 for 100 bushels ($0.20/bu). supplemental request form

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Washington 

Darrington Ranger District

Darrington, WA (360) 436-1155 - Hours: W-F, 8am-4pm (closed 12:30pm-1:30pm) 

Mt. Baker Ranger District

Sedro-Woolley, WA (360) 854-2553 - Hours: Tues-F, 8am-4pm (closed 12pm-1pm)

Permit Application

Call the Ranger District ahead of time to ensure staff is available.  supplemental request form

After calling ahead, visit any of the ranger stations listed above during operating hours. Permits are $20 for 100 bushels ($0.20/bu). A new permit is required either after the collection of 100 bushels or two weeks after purchase, whichever comes first.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Washington

Cowlitz Valley Ranger District

Randle, WA (360) 497-1100 - Forest Products Office Hours: M-Th, 7:30am-4pm & Fri 7:30am-2pm

Mt. Adams Ranger District

Trout Lake, WA  (509) 395-340 - Hours: M-F, 8am-4:30pm (Closed 12pm-1pm.)

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & District*

Amboy, WA (360) 449-7800 - Hours: M-Th, 8am-4pm & Fri, 8am-3:30pm (Closed 12-12:30pm)

Permit Application

No permits issued 15 minutes before office closure.  supplemental request form

Visit any of the ranger stations listed above during operating hours. Permits are $20 for 100 bushels ($0.20/bu). A new permit is required either after the collection of 100 bushels or two weeks after purchase, whichever comes first. 

*At Mt. St. Helens Ranger district permits can be purchased but collections are not permitted within the National Monument. Ask the ranger district for more information on where you can’t collect. 

Willamette National Forest - Oregon

Detroit District Ranger Station

Detroit, OR 503-854-3366 - Permits Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am-4pm

Sweet Home Ranger Station

Sweet Home, OR 541-367-5168 - Permit Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4pm

McKenzie River Ranger Station

McKenzie, OR 541-822-3381 - Permits sold Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am-4pm

Middle Fork Ranger Station

Westfir, OR 541-782-2283 - Permits sold Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am-4pm

Permit Application

Call the special forest product coordinator Susan (503) 559-9791 for permits via Detroit and Sweet Home Ranger Districts.  supplemental request form

$20 minimum permit, 50 cents per bushel (40 bushels per $20/permit), any hardwood or conifer species. Permit is valid for 3 weeks and then a new permit must be purchased. 

Information Needed to Obtain Your Permit

    • You must be 18 years of age and have a valid photo identification (state drivers license, state id, passport, green card, etc.)
    • Information about the vehicle that will be used to harvest the product (license number, year, make, model, color)
    • Your current address
    • Permits can be purchased using credit card only for Detroit and Sweet Home
Mt. Hood National Forest - Oregon

Eastside - Barlow Ranger Districts

Dufur OR (541) 467-2291 - Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8 am - 4:30 pm 
All digital - DO NOT go to office 
Special Forest Products: Mark (541) 467-2291 

Westside - Clackamas River Ranger Districts

Sandy OR (971) 333-4100 - Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am-3pm 
All digital - DO NOT go to office 
Special Forest Products: Cara (971) 333-4052

Permit Application

Permits are $0.20 pe bushel. Prior to collection, fill out the special forest product request form and either email, mail, or drop off form to the corresponding district office. 

Permits may take up to 2 weeks to process, so send ahead of time. The location can be an estimate of your collection area and estimated quantity can be listed under request

Siuslaw National Forest - Oregon

Central Coast Ranger District

Waldport, OR (541) 563-8400 - Forest Product Permits are sold Monday – Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm - Permits acquired from the Central Coast Ranger District are valid for 30 days.

Hebo Ranger District

Hebo, OR (503) 392-5100 - Forest Product Permits are sold Monday – Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm  - Permits acquired from the Hebo Ranger District are valid for 15 days. 

Permit Application

Call the Ranger District ahead of time to ensure staff is available. After calling ahead, visit any of the ranger stations listed above during operating hours.

If wanting to purchase permits for Noble Fir cones go to the Central Coast Ranger District Office.  Noble Fir collection permits are $1/bushel, all other seed cone permits are $0.50/bushel. Indicate amount intended to harvest in supplemental request form. Permittees do not need to return to weigh and pay.

Cone Scouting Resources

Cone Scouting Guide
Cone-Scouting-Guide V2 - 2023_Page_01
Cone Ripeness & Cutting Guide
Cone Ripeness and Cutting Guide - Silvaseed by Mast Reforestation_Page_01

When to Order

Contract Sow Orders

Sow orders for delivery the following year must be received by November 15th.

November 15th

 

FAQ's

Below are some frequently asked questions about Silvaseed.

What types of seedlings does Silvaseed specialize in?

Silvaseed specializes in 1- and 2- year old conifer seedlings but also grows a wide variety of seedling types, often by customer request. Silvaseed grows 1-year-old seedlings in greenhouses, and 2-year-old seedlings outdoors in its bareroot fields.

How many seedlings does Silvaseed grow annually?

Silvaseed sows and grows more than 5 million seedlings every year.

Does Silvaseed sell individual trees?

Silvaseed is a wholesale nursery, producing high-volume seedling crops. The minimum number of seedlings that can be purchased is a single bag, which can contain from 120 to over 600 seedlings depending on stocktype.

Does Silvaseed buy pine cones?

Silvaseed works with private collectors to harvest green, unopened conifer cones during the fall. Silvaseed does not purchase old or open cones.

What services does Silvaseed offer?

Silvaseed provides a comprehensive range of seed and seedling services, including:

  • Collection
  • Extraction
  • Storage
  • Testing
  • Cultivation

Ready to request services? Visit our Order page

What is unique about Silvaseed's seedbank?

Silvaseed boasts the largest privately held tree seedbank in the western United States. Our seedbank contains thousands of seedlots, please contact us for more details. 

What is the process for ordering custom-grown seedlings?
To order custom-grown seedlings, customers can start a custom sow order, which involves:

  • On-boarding by an expert team member
  • Sourcing seeds or cones
  • Creating a custom sow order
  • Monitoring seedling growth until delivery
What are the payment terms for contract sow orders?

For container contract orders, a 40% deposit is required to confirm the order, with the remainder due at pickup. For Contract PLUG1 orders, a 30% deposit is required to confirm the order, an additional 30% following transplant, and the balance due at pickup.

Does Silvaseed offer seed storage services?

Yes, Silvaseed offers seed storage at their facility in Roy, WA. The storage includes monitoring and backup systems. Seed storage is free with an annual seedling growing contract of 20,000 seedlings or more.

What are the fees for seed testing and stratification?

The fees for seed testing and stratification are as follows:

  • Purity, moisture, x-ray, and seed count testing: $75 per lot
  • Germination testing: $105
  • Stratification: $65 for the first 4 weeks, and $15 for each additional week
Can Silvaseed assist with cone processing?

Yes, Silvaseed offers specialized processing for custom orchard or wild-collected cone. This includes kiln drying, tumbling, dewinging, and thorough screening for debris and low-quality seeds.

Are there any upcoming closures we should be aware of?

Yes, please note that Silvaseed will be closed from June 29th through July 6th, 2024.

Does Silvaseed sell seedlings without a contract?

Yes, ask about our OTC selection for information about seedlings available without a contract.

How can I find out about surplus seed and seedlings?

Over the course of the growing season, Silvaseed occasionally has an over-production or surplus of some species and stock types of seed and seedlings. For additional details and a complete listing of remaining inventory, check our inventory list.

Is Silvaseed hiring?

Between November and March of each year, we hire for seasonal opportunities to support our busiest times of the year, please check our careers page for more information.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact Us!
contact@silvaseed.com