Think very carefully about what you said. If only forest fires could cause pine cones from lodgepole pines to open up, I doubt seriously they would have spread over the West if they were solely and completely dependent upon wild fires. I’ve been to areas that haven’t had a forest fire in decades and they are covered with “young” lodgepole pines.
This is quite true. Do a little research and you will find that there are two types of cones - sometimes on the same tree. Some open normally, some open after a fire. Lodgepole is very adept at seeding bare areas, whether from fire or other disturbance. After 90 - 120 years, they become susceptible to disease and insects and begin dieing off to make way for other longer lasting species (if they’re available). That’s why so many of the West’s lodgepole forests are in such terrible shape - they’re just doing what comes naturally. And, because many managers are reluctant to harvest the trees - for whatever reason - sooner or later they are going to do what else comes naturally - burn....