Today, which happens to be the summer solstice, we found a small collection of pine cones under the arboretum's lone pond pine (Pinus serotina). This individual is at least 25 years old. You can read more about it on an older blog post (found here) that showcases its orange fall foliage.
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Looking up at the branches, we see both closed and open pine cones.
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| These cones are closed, but not necessarily still growing. According to the USDA, these cones might very well be mature and simply waiting for the right conditions to release their seeds: a wildfire burning through the terrain. Either way, we don't expect them to fall any time soon. The USDA Fire Effects website states, "Cones often persist for 2 to 8 years". |
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| There are quite a few cones already open, still attached to the tree. What might cause them to finally drop? |
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These are the pine cones that attracted our attention today. Who knows how long they have been open, hanging on to the branches? The pond pine grows next to a sidewalk and these cones were conspicuous in the leaf litter.
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Since the pond pine isn't native to Louisiana, it's unlikely that you will see this particular size and shape of pine cone outside of the Centenary College arboretum. These cones are short and stout when compared to the loblolly cone, which can be found throughout northern Louisiana.
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Pond Pine Cone, measuring 2 inches wide, collected 6/21/21
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Pond Pine Cone, measuring 2½ inches tall, collected 6/21/21
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Pond Pine Cone, measuring 2½ inches wide, collected 6/21/21
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Pond Pine Cone, measuring 2¾ inches tall, collected 6/21/21
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