If seeds and viable germination is no object, I would suggest collecting them green. Let them dry - you can try experiments of air drying versus drying in a food dehydrator or by using desiccants. I really don't know what will give you the best results as far as looks and appearance - which it sounds as though you are looking for. But do some small experiments, you'll find what works best.

After *completely* dried, I would then coat them with some sort of craft spray coating or glue. This will help hold them together if they become brittle and prone to falling apart after drying. Check out what might be used on crafts with dried flowers and weeds. Surprisingly this isn't a craft I do so I can't direct you more but I'm sure google can.

If you have any cone pics to share, please do!

FataMorgana

FataMorgana

Thanks for the suggestions. I think perhaps the crafts glue spray idea might work. Unfortunately I live in southern Michigan where NO firs grow, so I do not have access to any fir cones to experiment with.

I would guess even if there are not firs native to Michigan (there's got to be some), people plant all sorts (native and not) in their landscaping. No wonder, firs can be beautiful trees. The previous owners of my house planted a white fir in the side yard. It is close enough to the house that I get a great view of the cones at the tippy-top of the tree from a second story window. I get to see the cones mature and fall apart as you mentioned leaving the candle-like pegs behind.

FataMorgana

FataMorgana

The only Abies species native to Michigan is A. balsamea. This species is found in northern Michigan, 300 miles plus north of where I live in Lansing, Michigan. I am sure there must be landscape planting of a few species in Lansing, but I would have no access to the cones.

Abies balsamea is native to Michigan. In addition many private and public gardens grow various Abies like koreana, concolor, lasiocarpa, alba and many others in Michigan. Hidden Lakes Garden in southeast Michigan is a good example of this.

You may also want to post this in the Conifer Forum where many coneheads hang out.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Conifer Forum

Do you have any from second-generation loblolly pines? I could send you some of those.

Do you have any from second-generation loblolly pines? I could send you some of those.

Thanks for the reply. I have cones from Loblolly pine already. What would be different about 2nd generation Loblolly from 1st generation?

The forester told us that second-generation loblollies are more vigorous, faster growing, and more resistant to pine beetle. I forgot to mention that I also have Virginia pine if you're interested.

Yes, what you were told about 2nd generation growth is in general true for most pines. But, to my knowledge there is no difference in the cones. So I would not need any of those cones for my project. Also, I have Virginia Pine already also. I do appreciate the reply and offer.

Have you contacted anyone at Michigan State? They have extensive gardens and might have different species of evergreens planted. They also have numerous extension sites throughout the state and might be able to help. They probably even have grad students studying evergreens in one way or another.

Good luck in your search/project.

Martha

Martha

As a matter of fact I graduated from MSU in 1975 with B.S. degrees in Entomology and Botany. I live 5 miles from the MSU campus. You are right, they do have many species of evergreens on campus. They even have a Dawn Redwood planted in 1949 from the original 1st lot of seeds brought back from China from the discovery grove. Thus, it is one of the oldest Dawn Redwoods outside of China.

Concerning firs: Try to get access to an A. koreana, possibly from a garden center. They set a lot of cones already at 1m height so they are easier to get at for experimenting. Mine has 30+ cones at 120cm height. Many other firs done set cones until they are 4m or more. Don't know about Michigan but in many areas A. koreana is readily available from garden centers albeit a little expensive.

Hi, the answer on how to handle fir cones is found in the latest journal (No. 20, Spring 2013) from the British Conifer Society, p. 31. Dave Capewell writes you should soak the cones in a mixture of glycerine and water for 2 to 4 days. Use 50-60% glycerine and 40-50% water.

Honymand--That sounds like it should work. I do not get the British Conifer Society Journal. Would it be possible for you to scan the appropriate page or pages and send them to me as an attachment to an email? If so, please send to

RonMerchant45@yahoo.com.

Also, if you know it, could you send me Dave Capewell's email address.

Thanks for the help.