Unknown growth on 3 yr old pine

[Keels]

Gday guys,

Is anyone able to explain to me whats happening here in the photo? Couple of my young pines have this kinda growth on the candle.

Do i keep it or remove it from the tree thats in development?

Cheers

[Matt S]

Hi Keels,

That's a male pollen cone. You can leave it there without any issues.

Matt.

[Keels]

Hi Keels,

That's a male pollen cone. You can leave it there without any issues.

Matt.

Cheers matt. I've never had one in my garden Does it take a lot of energy away from the tree?

[Matt S]

I've read conflicting advice but I leave the male cones. I don't think they are going to drain so much energy as to affect growth on a healthy plant. Female cones will chew up a lot more energy and it probably makes more sense to remove them.

Sometimes a pine under stress will produce a mass of male cones, but if the tree is growing strongly I wouldn't worry.

Matt.

[Grant Bowie]

On the pine in the photo you can see 4 buds below the candle with the male pollen. You can cut it out entirely and have 4 new buds/branches to choose from.

Grant

[Keels]

I've read conflicting advice but I leave the male cones. I don't think they are going to drain so much energy as to affect growth on a healthy plant. Female cones will chew up a lot more energy and it probably makes more sense to remove them.

Sometimes a pine under stress will produce a mass of male cones, but if the tree is growing strongly I wouldn't worry.

Matt.

Thanks matt.

On the pine in the photo you can see 4 buds below the candle with the male pollen. You can cut it out entirely and have 4 new buds/branches to choose from.

Grant

Thanks Grant. I think i will be chopping it off as you stated. I'll be repotting most of them this weekend