![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zn3ud3ZZimpD_1PtR0qHw3yO2jJgz-anTv7k0utqi-QKoDcX0fCOUzRzd5bDyiYxRkBGkwyKd2ss6ayglpsvL-n7iTMqSc5LpXD0wJN-IdgREVmhnALsp46kdjikp4RoPlysRHox7cg/s400/Ponderosa+pine+tree+cone.JPG)
I took these pictures of the Ponderosa Pine in a park on the north side of Spokane Washington near highway two as it head north-east towards Newport. Along one side of the park there was a stand of these tall pine trees and as the day was clear and sunny it was a great opportunity to get some good detail pictures of the cones and pine needles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4D6ONZTp9u3zLwLc1aQAMTJ8xolJOfTXaGqsRBfV88m5mD54pMo1jvjMmQ4ofedkE5J2ga_SGU216zhg2x5ZtcyBYQ38uoUpUDE892HXBfQHqGh4gCdt1FleHAKdu3TYUrLF6RbR7rdI/s400/Ponderosa+pine+trees.JPG)
The needles of this pine tree species are about 7-8 inches long (17-20cm). The seed cones are roundish and about 4 inches long. I would estimate that the trees in the picture above are about 100 feet tall.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqNVoc5bRDRVZ5Y19eiyxL_aPUi1UcCtn2Xe9S4LKymklCUzUDKTnW27wXnPL6yAF8e5Ba5IjPEwEMQuPe5nosr9RdHDi_GWXlIGvePMCMdi3BHypgXyWyvQ4B3prKVPB2mn3zzAShrs/s400/Pinus+ponderosa+new+pine+cone.JPG)
As can be seen in the image above the new seed cones are quite prickly as is the bark on the new branches. The bark on the main trunk has a puzzle like pattern.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugHOa18A-0SKsC6zQ0E9u0m-vYmEAEfS70A1allekuI5T_1r1gysOugMTmUO7d2tccivmrvLyR9nEu3OrK_Xx4acOHxk-uryMucPqpeqglrpl4gWrLbOiKLgMvV1tABDzgpcGM29B5aM/s400/Pinus+ponderosa+polen+cones.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwrkRAD4RtROXY8g4HxtLVk4-non4oS-udd_IjDD-dpfE9-Ua7jDXVKQjPKAonOJoipuZ6tGpVaa1ghbuMuY_dJfsnwNxue6R508GKNGjjEJzJOcJiMoHasGVDeNGWaKoGQiACgClNy4/s400/Ponderosa+pine+tree+branch.JPG)
The seed cones grow two or three together at the same place on the branch and when they fall they leave a curious looking stub (below).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKZxRY_d-75zbGgHItfR5JQ_Xey-bU5LKMO8k-nWzAOv01UmL0WndrQcZyUZC99LMJwF0px0o9pspQWOKJpagnIG1jVmoZuWNKYcvBdJGa8kJp3WRlyQqi5xDA5hWnhdw6wkVhLFEtLQ/s400/Pinus+ponderosa+branch.JPG)
This tree is quite common throughout the Inland Empire and up into Canada.
i find this very interesting
ReplyDeletedo pine trees not produce pine cones until it reaches a certain age?
ReplyDeleteKano, I believe the tree must reach a certain age before it can produce cones but I don´t know what that age is. I´ve seen cones on trees that look to about 7-10 years old.
ReplyDelete