Harvesting birch seed pods for leaves...

[Argonor]

16.95 EUROS!  Carry on foraging boys!

I think you'd have supplies for a lifetime if buying a kilo, though, even after sorting the 'leaves' form the seeds.

[FramFramson]

Airplane tickets to Europe cost more than that - I'm actually tempted.

One thing I do have as an alternative is cheap herbs. Hopefully my terrain won't smell too much, but if it does, it ought to smell nice, like basil and parsley.

[snitcythedog]

Speaking of harvesting.  When is the best time to go looking in the UK?  I have a silver birch in my back yard, and know where there are a tonne more.  Just need to know when to stock up so to speak.  Thanks in advance. 
Snitchy sends.
 

[Argonor]

Speaking of harvesting.  When is the best time to go looking in the UK?  I have a silver birch in my back yard, and know where there are a tonne more.  Just need to know when to stock up so to speak.  Thanks in advance. 
Snitchy sends.
 

When the catkins are green or slightly turning darker. Pick them from the branches.

[matthais-mouse]

Need to hunt for a birch near me here in the UK haha 

[Timbor]

I got a ton from the white birch that is plentiful where I live last fall/early winter.  They were already dried on the tree by that time, so all I had to do was pluck off the entire pod.  I am not sure how the size of white birch pods compares to silver birch.  I find the 'leaves' can be a tad big for 28mm, but mixed in with other suitable deadfall produces a nice effect.  You can see my results from my diorama from last fall here: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=59188.30

I suppose harvesting pods in the summer before they are fully mature could yield smaller ones if you don't mind drying them out and such.