Collection guides for foresters, botanists, restoration ecologists, and land managers
When large-scale disturbances like fire, insects, or drought overwhelm a forest’s ability to recovery on its own, managers and landowners may decide to reforest critical areas. Such efforts require climatically suitable conifer tree seeds, such as ponderosa pine and piñon pine, for planting in the Southwest. Deficits between seed collection and reforestation need are expected to increase, particularly as fires occur more frequently. Partners from across the western U.S. have been engaged in projects to increase capacity for dry conifer forest seed collection of crucial species. The Nature Conservancy of Colorado, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, New Mexico Highlands University, and others have produced workshops, field guides and FAQs to assist those engaged in seed collection by providing practical information about ponderosa pine and piñon pine reproductive cycles, finding and collecting cones, and harvesting seeds.
Resources:
Piñon Cone and Seed Collection for Reforestation: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers in Colorado and New Mexico
Ponderosa Pine Seed Collection on the Colorado Front Range: A Field Guide
Ponderosa Pine Seed Collection on the Colorado Front Range: Supplemental Information to Schloegel et al. 2024
Ponderosa Pine Cone and Seed Collection: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for the Colorado Front Range
Southwestern USA Conifer Seed Collection, Processing, and Storage Workshop Summary
Questions about this work?
Contact: Marin Chambers ([email protected]) or Catherine Schloegel ([email protected])