Saturday, June 4, 2016

White Pine Orgy

 Doing my part for my white pine (Pinus strobus) neighbors.

The white pines in the neighborhood seem to have grown male cones almost overnight, and these began shedding pollen just a few days ago.  Today they were going full force, and will be turning cars and sidewalks dusty yellow over the next several days.  On the other hand, it will be over quickly; last year the whole orgy was over in only seven or eight days (beginning a few days earlier than this year).  And white pine pollen, though wind-borne, is heavy enough that it doesn't typically remain in the air long, and does not cause the allergy problems that some other air-borne pollens do.  It's just vegetable love!

 Pollen cones are smaller than your little finger tip, but very abundant!

 The male cones are in clusters of a dozen or more on nearly every sunlit twig.

 Though larger, the female cones are fewer, higher up, and not showy.
They hang down from the twigs.

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