• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
February 13, 2014

The Truth About Pine Cones

It’s unlikely that you haven’t seen a pine cone, but do you really understand them? Have you ever looked at a pine cone and thought, “How the heck does this thing work?” Read on.

The Very Basics

  1. The term ‘pine cone’ is actually only correct when you’re talking about the cones that come from pine trees.
  2. All conifers produce cones as it is their way of reproducing.
  3. All conifers also produce male and female cones, sometimes on the same tree and sometimes not, depending on the species.
  4. The cone is not the tree’s seed. Each cone contains multiple seeds that are released when the cone has matured.
  5. Conifer seeds are wind and animal pollinated.

blog_pinecone3

Getting More Complex

Female cones grow much larger than male cones. The pollen from the male cones is blown by the wind and if it manages to find a female cone, it will fertilize the ovules that are waiting within the cone among the bract scales. Once fertilized, seed scales develop to protect the seeds within. The cone continues to mature and the seeds to develop. But the seeds are still trapped underneath the cone’s scales.

A female cone’s scales are flattened to the cone with a resin until it has fully matured or until it is exposed to severe heat. Cones from the Jack Pine, for example, are known as serotinous and must be exposed to fire, or fire-like conditions, in order to break down the resin and release the seeds. Interesting fact (as if all these other facts weren’t interesting!): the seed scales on a cone can open and close multiple times while the cone is attached to the tree.

A fully mature female cone will appear to have exploded and will have darkened from the green colour of its immature state. Many cones will open its scales while still on the tree so the seeds can be carried by the wind as they fall out. Mature cones that fall to the ground with seeds still inside have the chance to make their seeds useful as well.  Animals, especially squirrels and birds, will eat or transport the seeds to be planted elsewhere – continuing the natural tree planting process.

blog_pinecone4

 

← Previous post
Identifying and Managing Black Knot

Next post →
Caring for a Norfolk Island Pine

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark Cullen Follow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

MarkCullen4
2 Mar

Was a pleasure visiting with our #tree loving friends @TonyDiGiovanni1 and @MarkCullen4 today @vinelandrsrch!

Reply on Twitter 1631375315615318018 Retweet on Twitter 1631375315615318018 1 Like on Twitter 1631375315615318018 10 Twitter 1631375315615318018
19 Feb

Increase biodiversity in your yard with these tips from Mark and Ben Cullen. @MarkCullen4

http://ow.ly/u2sE50MVwTA

Reply on Twitter 1627294471200116736 Retweet on Twitter 1627294471200116736 1 Like on Twitter 1627294471200116736 4 Twitter 1627294471200116736
10 Feb

Excited to meet with Mark Cullen and Tony DiGiovanni today to learn more about the Trees for Life Program and how Less Mess can help!

Reply on Twitter 1624161096243240976 Retweet on Twitter 1624161096243240976 4 Like on Twitter 1624161096243240976 6 Twitter 1624161096243240976
12 Jan

This was a great way to start the new year. Congratulations, Landscape Ontario, on this milestone! Thanks to all who made it happen. We’re looking forward to the next one.

#TreesForLife #Congress #LOCongress #ClimateAction #GoGreen #HOHTC

Reply on Twitter 1613670790612017153 Retweet on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Like on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Twitter 1613670790612017153

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑