Name: William H. A.
Status: educator
Age: 60s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
I live and work in NE Vermont. This year the female cone
production in almost every species of conifer has been exceptionally
heavy, greater than I have ever seen. Entire treetops are laden, and
some bow down under the weight. Now that they are open with seeds
dispersed, the ground is littered with fallen cones of all types.
Any thoughts why this may be so? The winter has unusually harsh, with a
heavy snow pack. The spring has been cool, but otherwise normal.
How were things last year? In our area there was a
semi drought for much of the spring/summer. The fruit
production on most trees (deciduous and conifer) was
low. I suspect what you may be seeing is a "make-up"
for last year, dpending on the type of weather you saw
last year.
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