The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Ask The Forester => Topic started by: firefighter ontheside on April 10, 2024, 08:54:04 PM

Title: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: firefighter ontheside on April 10, 2024, 08:54:04 PM
I have one Norway spruce tree in my front yard.  It is about 20' tall and maybe 20 years old.  I bought it at a nursery and planted it when it was about 6" tall.  I've wondered if it would ever produce cones, due to it being all alone.  I happened to notice today that it has produced some cones this year.  I'm happy to see them and will enjoy the different look of the tree this year and to see the cones grow.
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Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: SwampDonkey on April 11, 2024, 04:27:15 AM
Hard for these old eye to see, but they may be just male pollen cones. Give the branch a shake and see if pollen dust comes about. Female seed cones usually are more erect pointing to the sky.   :sunny: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: firefighter ontheside on April 11, 2024, 07:33:46 AM
You may be right about that, but the tree has never produced these either.  presumable if its making male cones, then female cones will be coming along shortly.
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: SwampDonkey on April 11, 2024, 07:42:01 AM
They will be softer as they elongate and after the pollen is dispersed they will drop away.
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: Southside on April 11, 2024, 08:21:44 AM
SD that's rather presumptive of you to say that those are male cones, how do you know they don't identify as pumpkins?  ffcheesy
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: firefighter ontheside on April 16, 2024, 09:43:24 PM
Well, today confirmed that what I was seeing is male cones.  A dry windy day today.  Clouds of pollen were coming from my shortleaf pines, eastern cedars and the Norway spruce.  Hopefully this means I will get seed cones.
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: Southside on April 16, 2024, 11:44:08 PM
I am jealous that you have shortleaf, I have discovered a whopping 2 on my farm. 
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: SwampDonkey on April 17, 2024, 04:29:32 AM
Bound to be a few seed cones, surely. They have to get some of that pollen. ffsmiley  They tend to be higher up on the tree.
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: firefighter ontheside on April 17, 2024, 07:53:09 AM
I have shortleaf, loblolly, a few whites and some virginia.  They were originally planted here by my dad and grandparents about 65 years ago.  They now reproduce by themselves very well.  The natural range for shortleaf is about 10 miles to my south, so shortleaf do very well here.  Loblolly do well, but suffer at the hands of heavy wet snow.

After all the pollen cones are gone it may be easier to see any seed cones.
Title: Re: Norway Spruce Producing Cones
Post by: firefighter ontheside on May 05, 2024, 08:06:06 PM
There are quite a few seed cones at the top of the tree now.    They are about 2" long.
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