Did you enjoy collecting pine cones as a child? You probably didn't think about the function of the fruit back then. The properties and structure seem all the more interesting today. In the following, acquire knowledge about pine fruits that would certainly have amazed you as a child.
What are the characteristics of pine fruits?
Pine fruits are egg-shaped cones that are green when unripe, 3-8 cm long, short-stemmed and hanging. They ripen every two years in the fall and open to release seeds during drought. Pine trees are monoecious, with male yellow and female red flowers.
Characteristics of pine fruits
The fruits of the pine are cones which have the following properties:
- ovoid
- green when unripe
- 3-8 cm long
- short-stemmed
- hanging, protruding when ripe
- open when dry
Fruit ripening and seed formation
Did you know that a pine tree only blooms after ten to fifteen years? In addition, the fruits only ripen every other year. Fruit ripening occurs in autumn from September to October. At this time, the small cones form seeds, which initially remain hidden inside. Only when it is dry do the cone scales open and release the seeds. If you listen carefully, you can sometimes hear a faint cracking sound as the fruit unfolds. The cones either stay on the tree after dropping the seeds or fall to the ground. The pine tree reproduces primarily through the wind. Cross-pollination is somewhat rarer.
From the flower to the cone - the difference between male and female pine fruits
When it comes to seed formation, it is crucial whether it is a male or a female cone. The conifer is monoecious, meaning it has both sexes. The flowers can also be distinguished visually. The cat-like, yellow flowers that occur in large numbers are the male variety. The female ones, however, have red buds. Only from them do the cones form after pollination, which later bears a seed.
Collecting pine fruits
Would you like to use the seeds to grow your own pine tree? It's best to go looking for it on a dry autumn day. If the cone has not fully opened, place it in a dry, warm place at home to allow it to open and release the seed. If there are no cones on the ground yet, an upright position indicates that the conifer will soon drop its fruit.
