Cones develop over two growing seasons. After development begins in midsummer, cones become dormant until the following spring. Pollination occurs in late May or early June, and cones continue to grow until late summer. Fertilization occurs the following summer, approximately 13 months after pollination. Cones ripen in early autumn and seeds are dispersed in October and November.
Germination occurs the following spring or early summer.
Fire provides conditions necessary for regeneration, specifically a bare or lightly covered mineral seedbed free of brushy competition and an open canopy. A thick organic layer is an unfavorable seedbed because seedlings are farther from a constant water supply and the mineral soil. Seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy. By seed, following cold stratification. The Red Pine is very cold tolerant and withstands poor soils, but does not like salty soils.