Norway Spruce heavy seed production

[treehumper]

My wife has a mature Norway Spruce in her front yard in Ridgefield NJ. She tells me it has more cones on it then it has ever had in the 20 yrs. she's lived in the house. I'm not there to evaluate this but she asked me to seek the brain trust here on the buzz. Any ideas what this might arise from?

 

[Chum]

Although there are many factors included in such an action, some good...

it's also an indicator of decline.

 

[guymayor]

[ QUOTE ]
it's also an indicator of decline.

[/ QUOTE ]a potential indicator, at worst. More likely just a random occurrence with genetic and environmental causes.

 

[Chum]

Fertility spikes in live oaks have been attributed to decline. Initially thought to be the result of seasonal abundance, end-result proved otherwise.

 

[fuelsguy1969]

It is common in many conifirs to have a big cone year just before they croak.

Has the tree been stessed recently by drought conditions etc? Is the crown still full?

 

[The_REVerend]

I heard one time from a environmental dude that if the spring is wet that the pollen washed off and the tree produces more cones as a result
I like that better than the other thing I now is that a tree reproduces heavy before decline as it is a reaction to death and the age old story of I must procreate
Dam sex rules us all!