Only 20 varieties of pine tree worldwide produce cones with.

Mar 30, David Santiago Garcia/Aurora/Getty Images.

For these reasons, old needles finally turn brown and drop off.

Pine cones drop from pine trees when they reach full maturation, which is when they reach approximately 2 years of age. These 2-year-old cones are female. Conifer trees grow both male and female pine cones. The female cones, when pollinated, grow stumpchopping.barted Reading Time: 40 secs. Jul 26, Seed in pine cones can usually be identified by the prominent-looking wing, which is attached to the seed for aid in dispersal.

Seeds can be collected once they fall from the tree in autumn, usually between the months of September and November. Germinating Pine Seeds.

The pinecones we see are only the female cones.

Collect seeds from fallen cones by lightly shaking them upside down. It may take numerous seeds before you find Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins. As needles age, they become less efficient at producing food for the tree. They also become more shaded by newer needles. For these reasons, old needles finally turn brown and drop off. This doesn't hurt the tree because several year's worth of newer needles are always there to replace the old ones.

Dec 29, Pine cones open up and release their seeds when it is warm and it is easier for the seed to germinate.

Some pine cones, like that of the Jack Pine, need a fast hot fire to open and release their seeds. This is called the Jack Pine ecosystem. Pine cones can stay on tree for more than 10 years before dropping to the ground. All conifers produce male and female cones. Sometimes on the same Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins.