Are these pollen cones?

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Location
Willamette Valley, OR, USA
USDA Zone
8b
Hey folks, one of my 2 JBP is absolutely covered in these items this spring. I'm guessing these are pollen cones but not completely sure? Almost every single thing growing off the tree right now is these and I do not see any normal candles like my other JBP has, although there are some small bundles of needles coming out of single buds in a couple spots. Do I need to do anything with these and will it progress to actually making new needles later?

20250422_125133.jpg
 
You've got 4 candles that are extending, 1 strong central one and 3 much smaller ones to the side, and the needles on all the candles are about to start growing. As Brian said, pollen cones show up at the base below the needled portion of the candle.
 
You've got 4 candles that are extending, 1 strong central one and 3 much smaller ones to the side, and the needles on all the candles are about to start growing. As Brian said, pollen cones show up at the base below the needled portion of the candle.
huh, okay! they just look so much different from the candles on my other one
20250422_172714.jpg
 
Sometimes shoots get confused and can make lots of male cones but the first picture looks more like odd needles. If you look at the lower left shoot you can see the needles starting to emerge from very similar buds. Let them grow and see what emerges.

Are these cones? If so, what do I do with them?
Female cones which will grow into seed cones if left.
Need to be aware that it takes 18 months for seed cones to mature in Fall. If you want the cones you can't prune this summer or next summer. Cones mature whether they are pollinated or not. If not pollinated all the seeds will be empty.
 
Sometimes shoots get confused and can make lots of male cones but the first picture looks more like odd needles. If you look at the lower left shoot you can see the needles starting to emerge from very similar buds. Let them grow and see what emerges.


Female cones which will grow into seed cones if left.
Need to be aware that it takes 18 months for seed cones to mature in Fall. If you want the cones you can't prune this summer or next summer. Cones mature whether they are pollinated or not. If not pollinated all the seeds will be empty.
I was considering keeping them, just to watch and learn, and maybe get some seeds out of it.

Would they have to be pollinated already? I have not had pollen cones for 2 years that I'm aware of.
 
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