Why Are There So Many Pine Cones This Year? - Ask Extension
I think we mostly have Ponderosa pines here in Larkspur. We are having a ridiculous bumper crop of pine cones this year. We are all wondering what...
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Why Are There So Many Pine Cones This Year? #622308
Asked April 08, 2020, 2:57 PM EDT
I think we mostly have Ponderosa pines here in Larkspur. We are having a ridiculous bumper crop of pine cones this year. We are all wondering what causes it? Obviously weather, but what kind of weather? Thanks!
Douglas CountyColorado
Expert Response
Ponderosa pine cones mature in 2 year cycles. The cones that have fallen off this past fall/winter were produced in the Spring of 2018. Following several drought years, tree stress could cause them to create more cones. Ponderosa pines also produce more cones as they age and experience heavy cone development every 8 years on average. It could just be one of those years!