Why is my pine tree all of the sudden dropping tons of pine cones?

Question

There is a pine tree in my yard (3 stories) that started dropping tons of pine cones every day. I've been living there for 6 years and didn't start to happen until this year. Is this a sign it may be dying?

Answer 1

All conifers drop their cones when ripe thats natures way, ( don't understand 3 stories )?

Answer 2

Maybe the pinecones are fully ripe early this year? Conifers will drop tons of pine cones when the cones ripen. Have you been getting heavy rains? My doug fir dropped at least five hundred cones after we had a hail storm, and I keep finding more every time I go outside.
Sorry I can't help you more. I'm not sure whether your tree is sick or not. I can only give my two cents as to what might cause the massive amount of cones on the ground.

Answer 3

I would suspect depending what area you live in, that it is in
dier need of water and nutriments, if it has been very dry in your area a good soaking is whats required, and if you were to purchase pine tree food that could do the trick also.
When these types of trees are dry they tend to drop their cones. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Sorry to say, yes, it is definitely distressed for some reason. All conifers, when stressed, or dying will produce an overabundance of cones in order to propagate their species.

Answer 5

Most likely an early autumn. A few of the northern states have already had 30 degrees of weather (August)!!!

Here in West Texas, zone 7, our gardens have already stopped blooming and are turning brown. This is a signal of an early autumn for us.

To be on the safe side, call your local County Extension Service/Agent, or a local tree nursery and find out for sure.

Answer 6

I think its drying out!