SAE:

 Collecting Pine Cones For Seed

Description:

  Forestry is a major industry in Georgia. Georgia replants several hundred thousand acres in pines annually. Most of these seed come from commercial seed orchards, but a small part is still acquired through buying stations across the state.

 Small businesses throughout the State often buy cones during the months of September and October. Cones are purchased by the bushel from landowners or harvesters.

 Opportunities also exist to contract gather cones from industry seed orchards. In order to accomplish this it may be necessary to hire a crew and rent equipment.

Factors To Consider

Ranking:
1 = lowest
10 = highest

Time required

 2

Investment

 2

Equipment needed

 2

Skills required

 5

Facilities required

 1

Land required

 8

Labor Intensity

 9

Potential for income

 7

Transportation required

 7

Expansion possibilities

 7

Expertise needed

 5

Advertising needed

 1

Susceptible to disease

 5

Susceptible to insects

 5

Suitable for residential areas

 5

Other (specify)

Length of production cycle

2 months/year 

Regional

 No

When to start project

 September

Notes:

Contact local GFC Office for possible Cone Buyers in your county and surrounding counties.

 Contact Southern Seed Company in Baldwin GA for buying stations.

Contact local forest industries for possibilities to do contract cone gathering in seed orchards.