Seed release is closely associated with cone moisture content in lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.). Moisture contents varied between 12 and 16% in cones stored in unheated shelters in Alberta. Moisture contents between 15.5 and 18.5% were required to obtain full seed release in bulk lots of cones, depending on the lot. Past research has pointed out the variable nature of cone serotiny in lodgepole pine, and this study suggests that a large part of this variability is due to variable cone moisture.