Plant of the Month

January’s Plant of the Month is a cousin to last month’s plant, the Spruce. This one belongs to the same family: Evergreens or Conifers. The one here is called Pine. Ponderosa Pine, to be specific. They can grow up to 150 feet (50 meters). 

Of course, there are many different species of pine trees. They grow all over the northern half of our planet. Pine trees can live a long time, because they are very strong and have deep roots. They don’t mind harsh conditions, like drought, snow and wind. One of the oldest trees in the world is a Bristlecone Pine. It’s over 4,800 years!

‘Evergreen’ means that the trees stay green all year. They don’t lose their leaves in the fall like deciduous trees do. The leaves, or needles, of the Ponderosa Pine, are long and sharp. They can be anywhere from 5 – 10 inches. They grow in bundles of two or three and those bundles grow in tufts together, looking like pompoms all over the branches. These long needles stay green and on the branch for about two years. Then they fall to the ground and are quickly replaced by new ones. This makes it look like the tree is “ever” green.

The Ponderosa Pine has male and female flowers. The male flowers grow lower and produce pollen. The wind helps to spread the pollen to other pines nearby. The female flowers grow higher up and turn to pinecones once they have become pollinated. These pinecones have hard scales with sharp barbes at the tip of each scale. The seeds form under the scales and when ready, they fall to the ground or fly with the help of the wind. The seeds of some species of pine are like nuts, called pinenuts or Pignoli. They’re both delicious and nutritious.

Many feel that pine trees symbolize strength, wisdom and longevity. The beautiful Ponderosa Pines can have different shapes. If they have some space around them, their branches spread out, which gives them a conelike shape. In pine forests the trees grow close together, so their greenery is more like a crown at the top. Of course, pines have many uses. A fresh smelling oil can be made from pine needles and used as ‘Aromatherapy’. Our ImportAnts love it in their Hot Spot Spa. A tea made with the green pine needles, is loaded with vitamin C. 

The bark of the Ponderosa Pine is thick and kind of orangey brown. It looks like puzzle pieces with a darker brown between. If you sniff the bark on a tree, warm from the sun, it smells like vanilla or butterscotch. Here are some more uses: A gooey stuff called sap, or pitch, comes from inside the tree. This can be made into a salve that you can put on booboos. Glue is another thing made from the sap. The trunks of pine trees grow straight and tall, so they are perfect as building material. Let’s hear it for the beautiful Pine!