Table Of Contents
Reproduction and Life History
Pinus strobus plants become reproductively mature between 5 and 10 years of age, but do not reach peak strobilus production until the age of about 20 years. Pollen is dispersed by air between April and June (depending on latitude) and reaches the first-year megastrobili soon thereafter. Upon pollination, 13 months are required for fertilization of the ovule within the slightly enlarged one-year cone. The winged seeds mature during the second year and are dispersed by gravity and air at the end of the second year. The seed cones (megastrobili) drop from the tree soon after the seeds are dispersed.
Seeds of P. strobus are eaten by a variety of wildlife, especially small mammals. Deer and other larger mammals will browse the species when other winter forage has been exhausted. Source documents: Price (1989), Burrows and Tyrl (2001).