Abies fanjingshanensis is a critically endangered plant. In order to reveal the traits of the cone development and maturation process of A. fanjingshanensis, so as to confirm the appropriate harvesting time of mature cones, we regularly observed and collected the cones on mature fruiting trees of A. fanjingshanensis in their natural growth area, then comparatively analyzed the traits of cones, seed scales and seeds at different collecting stages by physical anatomy and morphological parameters determination. The results showed that: (1) the cones of A. fanjingshanensis begun to form in the middle of July and mature in the middle of October every year. The length and width of cone increased significantly from early development to late development, but their morphology and color did not change notably from late development to maturity. (2) The average length, width, fresh weight, dry weight and water content of the mature cone was 7.18 cm, 3.84 cm, 36.98 g, 20.33 g, 45.06%, respectively. (3) The average seed scale layer, total seed scales, seed quantity, and full seed rate per mature cone was 30.76, 250.67, 436.67 g, 82.49%, respectively. (4) The traits of the seeds in the basal, middle and top part of the mature cones were different, the parameters of the seeds in the middle part of the mature cones were the largest and which with the highest full seed rate. The average length, width and thickness of the seeds in the middle part of the mature cones was 9.14, 2.30, 2.37 mm, and the 1000seeds weight was 11.44 g. All the results indicated that the cone ripening process of A. fanjingshanensis took about 3 months from formation to maturity, and the best collection time of mature cone would be in later October. There was no obvious difference in cone shape and color between mature and late development of the cone, so color and shape should not be used as the indicator of cone ripening. Seed scales develop and mature synchronously with their cones, the seed scales in the middle of cone could be fully developed, of which had the largest shape parameters and highest plump seeds. The mature cones of A. fanjingshanensis had large seed quantity and high plump rate, but their seeds were small and light in weight.