Pine Tree Cone Production Name: Myra Jean We live in Wisconsin
and have noticed that the conifers are especially laden with
cones this year. Many other years the trees have had cones
mostly at the top. But this year many of the trees are heavy
with cones top to bottom, to the point where the look brown
rather than the regular rich green of fall. The branches are
bending with the weight of the cones. We are wondering why so
many? Is this part of a conifer's life cycle as many of the
trees aroun our property were planted at the same time? Is this
an indication of a harsh winter? Could you help us out? Thank
you. The phenomenon is called "mast seeding" and is found in
many tree species. Causes are debated, but it is definitely not
a predictor of the coming winter weather. Mast seeding may be a
response to favorable growing conditions in the previous
season(s), or a strategy that evolved to increase reproductive
success by sating seed predators in a given year, so that there
is better chance of some seeds survivi