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Do Ponderosa Pines Shed Needles


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Do Ponderosa Pines Shed Needles. The process, called abscission, helps the tree to conserve energy and resources during the winter months. Conifers drop their needles to conserve energy for surviving the winter.

Ponderosa Pine needles attached to the branch HarmonyArtMom Flickr
Ponderosa Pine needles attached to the branch HarmonyArtMom Flickr from www.flickr.com

Needles on the lower portions of the crown or closest to the trunk are most commonly shed, but trees stressed due to drought or root. For example, conifers like the ponderosa pine tend to shed their needles in large quantities during late summer or early fall, while the eastern white pine may retain its needles for up to three years before shedding them. Conifers drop their needles to conserve energy for surviving the winter.

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Ponderosa Pine needles attached to the branch HarmonyArtMom Flickr

Species such as lacebark and ponderosa pines shed needles every three years. These shed toward the center of the tree and less likely to be noticed until you see the carpet of fresh needle mulch underneath the tree. In colorado, ponderosa and lodgepole pines, as well as some spruce and fir species, are the trees that are most commonly reported to be shedding needles in september and october. Conifers drop their needles to conserve energy for surviving the winter.

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