Abstract
The aging lodgepole pine forests of Western Canada have become increasingly susceptible to insect and disease outbreaks. This is evident by the rise of mountain beetle (MPB) populations in British Columbia and Alberta. Serotinous cones of lodgepole pine require heat to open and the moisture content (MC) of cones is considered to influence the opening process. However, little is known about how tree conditions (live and dead) may affect this process. We evaluated the effects of MPB-killed trees and cone age on (1) cone MC, (2) moisture exchange, and (3) time required to open a cone after exposure to heat. The results showed active moisture exchange into and out of closed cones from both live and dead trees. Cone MC was not a main driving factor determining the time for opening the cones. Cones from dead trees had higher mean moisture content (MC), higher MC variation and took a longer time to open than those from live trees, presumably decreasing the potential for scorching of seed supply. This indicates t...
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