In Gymnosperms Male cones usually occur on higher branches and farther from the trunk than the female cones Why would this be?

Answer 1

When pollen from the male cones is released it either falls to the ground by gravity or is dispersed by wind or light breezes.

Having the male cone above the female ensures that some pollen will drop onto the female cone via gravity; if the female were above the male no pollen would be able to reach the cone - more a mechanism to ensure self pollination if cross pollination fails.

By having the male cones at the our edge of the tree canopy it also improves the pollens chance of being lifted by wind and deposited on a nearby tree (for cross pollination)

Answer 2

This spatial separation helps to reduce chances of self-pollination and increase genetic diversity in gymnosperms. Male cones produce pollen that needs to be carried by wind to reach the female cones for fertilization. Placing them higher and farther apart reduces the likelihood of pollen falling directly onto the same tree for successful reproduction.

Answer 3

because they fall off after they shed their pollen

Answer 4

Pollination occurs when pollen grains are windblown to the seed cones. The further up the tree, the further the wind can carry the pollen grains and pollinate.