Earn Cash By Collecting Pine Cones For Minnesota’s DNRs

If your yard is covered in pine cones, you could be sitting on a little pile of cash. The state of Minnesota is once again paying residents to collect cones that will help grow the next generation of the state’s forests.

Minnesota DNR Will Pay You for Pine Cones This Fall

Maybe you have a bunch of pine cones in your yard in the Gopher State right now. Did you know that instead of raking and then bagging them up or taking them to the compost site, you could turn them into cash?

While it might sound like the opening line from some cheesy infomercial, it's true. If you have extra pine cones in your yard, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) could PAY you for them!

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It's not too often the trees in your yard can make you money, but that's the case now if you have an excess of jack pine and black spruce cones in your yard. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Nursery says it's all part of their plan to keep Minnesota's state forests healthy and strong and assist in reforestation efforts across the state.

How Much You Can Earn for Pine Cones in Minnesota

I first heard about the program a few years ago, but it's back now during the 2025 fall season. It's pretty cool: The DNR buys cones from citizens across the state, which they then use those cones to help reseed over 5,000 acres of forests here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

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They're currently paying between $60 - $200 a bushel, depending on the type of cone, the DNR said. And, while the DNR is specifically looking for jack pine, red pine, and black spruce cones right now, did you know the DNR regularly buys seeds and cones from a variety of other trees? They do. But before you head out to your yard and start picking up various cones and seeds, the DNR says there are a few restrictions.

Where to Sell Pine Cones and How to Get Started

You'll want to first check in with the DNR forestry office nearest you before you collect any cones or seeds. They can give you a list of tree species they're accepting, as well as quantities and the dates and times seeds will be purchased. You can find more information about the program, including a list of drop-off locations as well as current prices the DNR is paying, HERE.

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The DNR has also produced a video on what to look for if you're heading out to collect some of those pine cones. And while you're out there foraging, beware of snakes. Wait, what? While the North Star State may not be known as a state with a lot of snakes (like some out west are), did you know there are 17 species of snakes that call Minnesota home? Keep scrolling to check 'em out!