Evergreen Cones Serve more than Decorative Purposes
December 3, 2000

The cones of evergreen trees are commonly used for decorations throughout the yuletide season. Large and small, they can be parts of wreaths, garlands, centerpieces and other Christmas decorations.

What are cones? What kinds of trees do they come from? What function do they serve the tree?

Do the scales on the cones of an outdoor wreath suddenly close up tightly on a rainy day only to open when the sun shines? Experiments have shown that painted cones, gilded cones, cones that have been in an arrangement for years do the same thing. It's the natural thing to do, designed to protect the two seeds under each scale. Even though the seeds have long since blown away, the built in protection is there.

With a pine tree as an example, it all starts in the spring. Tiny, pinkish, pistilate (female) cones form at the ends of the new growth. In June when the new shoots of the pine twigs look like pale green candles on a Christmas tree, at their bases may be found the staminate (male) catkins set in whorls. Each little scale of these cones is filled to bursting with yellow pollen, which is spread by the wind to the lifted cups of the pistilate cones which will close and protect the two little singed seeds that will form the base of each scale.

It takes two years for pine cones to mature. As the scales are arranged like the steps of a spiral staircase, so that one is never directly above another in the coil below, there is no overlapping. While seeds are ripening the scales of the cone are tightly sealed. When the cones are mature the resin which had glued the scales together melts and they open wide and the seeds can be blown to a new habitat. However a rainy day prompts the scales to close and protect the two tiny winged seeds tucked at the bottom of the scale. Cones are programmed to provide this protection even though the seeds may have long since blown away.

Closed cones can be put in a slightly warm oven to open and release the essence of Christmas. It is also interesting to dip open cones in water and watch them close.

Although most cones are called "pine cones" there are differences to note. White pine cones are long an thin with tough scales, often sticky with pitch. Scotch pine cones are small, roundish and rather "scrubby" looking. Red pines are beautiful rounded cones that shed their seeds and stay on the tree until the following summer.

The Woodland Dunes "Conifer Trail" located just off Columbus Street at the edge of Two Rivers is a special place to get acquainted with a number of the evergreens common to this area...a great place for a family hike during the holidays.