Pinus ponderosa var. The taproot generally persists throughout the life of the tree. Interior ponderosa pine regenerates only from seed. Due to climatic differences, regeneration success in the Southwest contrasts markedly with that in the Black Hills. Generally speaking, regeneration throughout much of its range tends to be sporadic.
Lighter crops occur in the intervening years, with substantially lower seed quality.
Seed is dispersed in the fall, and nearly all seeds are disseminated by early November. Seed crops may be reduced by feeding insects, birds, and mammals. Some of these animals also serve as dispersal agents, and successful seedling establishment often results from neglected food caches. Fall-dispersed seed overwinters and germinates the next growing season when moisture and temperature conditions are optimal. Such a covering facilitates precipitation penetration and prevents excessive soil drying.