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.
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.
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.