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Pinecone Types

Pinecones are the distinctive seed-bearing structures produced by evergreen trees. The cones are widely used in crafts and as decorative objects. The size and morphology of pinecones are used as diagnostic features to identify the different species of pine trees. The cones take two to three years to mature.

Pine Reproduction
- Pinecones are the reproductive organs of pine trees. Pine trees belong to the class Gymnospermae, whose members have no flowers or fruits. The seeds of Pinaecae family trees are instead borne between the woody scales of a cone-shaped structure called a megasporangiate strobilus by botanists. Female cones hold and distribute the seeds. The small catkin-like male cone quickly shrivels up and deteriorates after it releases its male gametes in the form of pollen. Wind carries the pollen to the female cones.
Coniferous Trees
- Pinecones are generally defined as any cone growing on a coniferous tree belonging to the order of Pinales, also called Coniferales. The trees keep their leaves year-round. The order is made up of the pinaceae family of pine trees and the cupressaceae family of cypress trees. The scales of the cones bear the ovules that will develop into seeds. The cones drop to the ground and open at maturity, or on some species they stay closed and attached to the tree for one to two more years.
Pine Family
- Pinecones from the genus Pinus range in size from 1.5 inches to the 28-inch cone of the California sugar pine or Pinus lambertiana. The heaviest pinecones come from another California native called the Coulter pine. Their cones can weigh up to 5 pounds. Douglas fir cones feature distinctive three-pronged bracts. The Ponderosa pine or yellow pine has rounded cones with pointed scale tips. The white pine group of trees make long pendulous cones. Bristlecone pines get their names from the long, hooked spines on the pinecone's scales.
Cypress Family
- Members of the cypress tree family produce much smaller cones than the pines. Giant sequoia trees are the most massive trees in the world, yet they produce suprisingly small 3-inch cones. Even smaller are the Western Cedar's tiny oval-shaped cones that are less than an inch long. Cedars produce pinecones at the end of their branches from the top to the bottom of the tree. The West Coast incense cedar's cone has flat, downward pointing scales.

Nature