I'm in Olympia and will be at a convention at the Red Lion on Saturday, so may possibly miss the swap but if there are no takers on the pine cones, I'd be happy to claim them, so would need to make arrangements a bit later, or maybe I can get out for a while during the show. you can tag my name on them...pine cones are awesome and I have enough grandkids to do them justice... Becky

how in the world did your 'colorado spruce' end up with 'some branches with red pine needles' my god.. its a miracle .... all kidding aside ... we probably need a picture to go much further ... ken PS: someday it will have SPRUCE cones.. not pine cones .... too Here is a link that might be useful: some info on diease processes ..

i have seen such things that 'shouldnt happen' ... i would suggest that overly broad statements of what will NEVER happen .. is the problem ... i suppose it would be better to cut our odds and say that 99% of the time such shouldnt happen.. but who knows what curve ball mother nature will throw at us ... the usual comments about what will or wont happen.. is related to neophyte conifer peeps who want to drastically trim improperly planted/sited plants.. that are too close to the foundation ... and in such circumstances ... we always say.. they will not re-branch ... and that remains the correct answer for said questions ... but weirder things have happened ... i think i typed what i meant .. lol ken

i find it hard to believe that you cant find someone in the neighborhood that doesn't have a hundred of them at the curb ... but maybe CO is different than here .... regardless... the idea is simply to cover the pot.. so sunshine cant warm it .... as far as i am concerned.. cold is not an issue ... the issue is repeated thawing during the day .. and re-freezing at night .... over and over again all winter long ... here in MI.. we are famous for 3 to 5 days of 60 degree weather in February .... a black pot in the sun during such time.. could hit 80 i bet ... and be back to 20 at night ... that sure doesn't sound good for roots to me ... the pot should never dry out ... but should never have enough water to turn into an ice cube .... i don't know what more to tell you ... here in MI.. with 40's the norm .. the pots just aren't drying out that fast ... insert finger and water if dry ... avoid over watering ... are the pots 12 inches??? .... if higher.. just mound some soil to hide the pot .... another alternative.. is to just put them on the north side of the house... to avoid all sun ... unless prevailing winds are howling on that side ... there are so many ways to avoid thawing of the pot.. i am sure you can figure out alternatives ... and that it will be there consistently all winter???? good luck ken PS: 2 feet of snow.. makes all protection issues just about moot ... but can we be sure you will get snow cover???? .. and that it will stay there all winter .... PPS: a few bails of straw .... bunch the plants together.. and put the straw around them ... bales intact ..... instant wind/sun break on the pots.. so many options ....