Also called: Cone Picker, Seed Orchard Technician
Climbs trees or works seed orchards to collect cones and seeds for replanting forests.
Cone collectors climb tall conifers with ropes or work from lifts to pick cones before they open. The seeds are cleaned and grown in nurseries to replant burned forests.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. On-the-job training; tree climbing certification helps.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Forest Technology (2-year).
Shrinking (about -2% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 45-4011: Decline (-1% or lower).
Low risk for 10 years. Drones can clip some cones, but climbing and seed-orchard work stay human, and replanting demand helps.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to seed orchards, nurseries or state forestry agencies for seasonal cone collection crews
Classes: Biology, PE or fitness.
Official data: O*NET occupation 45-4011.
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