Abstract: A seed harvester pod and method are provided for harvesting seeds from the cones of a live, free—standing, coniferous tree. The pod comprises an open-sided conical frame, open at the top and bottom, supporting a permeable side wall, which may be netting. The netting is operative to allow penetration of sunlight, air and rain. However it will prevent the passage therethrough of airborne seeds released by the cones of the tree. The retained seeds deflect off the netting and drop into an interior, open-topped, annular trough supported by the frame at its base. The seeds are intercepted and collected by the trough. The pod can be lowered by a helicopter line onto the conical upper end of the tree, prior to cone maturation. After the cones have opened and the seeds have matured, released and become airborne, they are contained by the netting, drop and collect in the trough. The harvester is then later retrieved from the tree and the seeds are recovered.

Abstract: A seed harvester pod and method are provided for harvesting seeds from the cones of a live, free-standing, coniferous tree. The pod comprises an open-sided conical frame, open at the top and bottom, supporting a permeable side wall, which may be netting. The netting is operative to allow penetration of sunlight, air and rain. However it will prevent the passage therethrough of airborne seeds released by the cones of the tree. The retained seeds deflect off the netting and drop into an interior, open-topped, annular trough supported by the frame at its base. The seeds are intercepted and collected by the trough. The pod can be lowered by a helicopter line onto the conical upper end of the tree, prior to cone maturation. After the cones have opened and the seeds have matured, released and become airborne, they are contained by the netting, drop and collect in the trough. The harvester is then later retrieved from the tree and the seeds are recovered.