Color of Immature Cones of Several Pacific Northwest Conifers

In the Cascade and Coast Ranges of Oregon and Washington Abies amabilis, A. lastocarpa, A. magnifica var. shastensis, A. procera, Picea engelmannii, Pinus monticola, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Tsuga mertensiana can produce immature cones either red (or purple) or green in color. Abundanceand distribution of the color varies in each species. Variation in cone coloration on individual trees is related to exposure of the cones to sunlight.