One more...I haven't mastered the new protocol at Photobucket.

Pinus x sondereggii

Nice shots! I always think that the pines are under-appreciated and when I see photos like this I'm sure of it!

Nice shots! I always think that the pines are under-appreciated and when I see photos like this I'm sure of it!

Very nice! Up until a few years ago there weren't any pines in my yard and the conifers I had never/seldom coned. Because of that, I'm very excited to watch the development and location of male and female cones on pines.

May I add a photo of my Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' coning, or would that turn this thread into a disallowed photo gallery?

Barbara

Post away! Would love to see.

Sara

Table mnt pine male cones 'couple of springs ago:

Again, pine cone formation is a new and interesting occurrence for me to watch. I noticed that in my Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' the female cones emerge from the base of new growth, while the pollen cones are at the tips of the elongating candles.

Is this an accurate observation, or have the female cones been there for a year already?

Is this the configuration for all pines?

Barbara

con50

Thanks for the two photos.
Beautiful colors that we all need to enjoy but sometimes don't take the time for this event.

Barbara,

Once Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' gets its footing it is a strong grower.

It also has heavy needle drop which will clog up the interior. If not cleaned out on a yearly bases. Make sure you take care of this.

Dave

Yes, Barbara, almost certain that cone is last year's cone.

Edit: To add, Barbara, I think what you're showing are new female cones on the tops of the new candles. Anyone?

This post was edited by beng on Sun, Apr 7, 13 at 12:40

Thanks Beng....looks like I should have done a gooogle search on this topic first. I found a good explanation on cone positions, which I hope is correct, that is the opposite of my newbie observations.

"The pollen cones cluster at the base of the new shoots, beneath the terminal bud. Most of the pollen cones form on the lower branches of the tree, away from the seed cones, but sometimes they form on the same shoot as the seed cones. The wind usually wonâÂÂt take pollen from the base of the tree to its upper branches, so the arrangement of seed and pollen cones encourages cross-pollination."

Dave,
The 'Thunderhead' is already doing both so I appreciate learning that its strong growth and needle drop are common for this cultivar. Between it and my Sequoia sempervirens I may never have to buy mulch again!

Thanks for the info,
Barbara

'Thunderhead' can take a lot of pruning to shape and size it - I have pruned out a lot of the interior on one to expose the trunk (quasi-bonsai technique, emphasis on the 'quasi') and have candled one to keep it smaller. A third I am playing with to make it more sculptural.

Thx for good comments and observations.

Sara

One more for the 'palate'....I'm having to wait 'till various species progress to the point of being 'showy'

Johnny

Pinus rigida/Pitch Pine

oooohhhhh....
Nice.

How about Pinus ponderosa 'Hi Desert'?
{{gwi:681252}}

-Sam

You're right Beng, they're female cones. To my untrained eye the male and female cones look similar when first emerging, so I've simply been watching for pollen dispersal as they mature...and that hasn't happened!

Barbara

{{!gwi}}

Gorgeous - I love this time of year!