Activity at birdfeeders in our area has been very slow for over a month so we've been talking to customers alot about the abundance of natural food sources out there for birds. Birds are amongst the wildlife that have been feasting upon this year's bounty of seeds, nuts, insects, fruits and berries.
We should've known it was coming with this summer's above average rain and mild temperatures. Early in the season, you could see clusters of cones forming at the tops of the pine trees. And now the ground is covered by them. Stand outside for any length of time and you'll hear a steady stream of cones dropping from the tree tops, being chewed off by industrious squirrels.
Pine tree tops full with cones
All this got me curious to do a little hands-on learning about the pine cone. I step over, around, and on them almost daily, but have never picked one up to really study it.
The seeds are attached to a wing. As they fall out of the cone, the weight of the seed pulls it toward the ground, while the helicopter-like action of the wing slows its descent, providing a fun whirlygig-like descent.
When you look inside the cone, there are 2 seed heads tucked up close to the inner core of the cone and the wings rest neatly on the top of each cone scale.
The seeds near the bottom of the cone were more developed than those near the top. Within an average size Eastern Pine cone like the one I studied, there could be more than 100 seeds encased within, protected by the 50+ scales.
As the cones open, the seeds can either fall out or be picked out by wildlife. Here's a few images of a Dark-eyed Junco feeding on seeds from the Eastern Pine.
These seeds provide a feast for the birds, along with all the other natural food that is still so abundant and available. But as days pass, insects will become less available when temperatures drop and the ground freezes. Uneaten fruits and berries will shrivel and fall, and snow will eventually cover the ground making natural food less accessible. And as fall turns into winter, like during the closing hours of a buffet, natural food sources will become depleted. It is then that the familiar feeder birds that have been enjoying nature's smorgasbord will again turn to our feeders for the high energy snacks that make it just a little easier to survive the long, cold winter months.
We should've known it was coming with this summer's above average rain and mild temperatures. Early in the season, you could see clusters of cones forming at the tops of the pine trees. And now the ground is covered by them. Stand outside for any length of time and you'll hear a steady stream of cones dropping from the tree tops, being chewed off by industrious squirrels.
Pine tree tops full with cones
All this got me curious to do a little hands-on learning about the pine cone. I step over, around, and on them almost daily, but have never picked one up to really study it.
The cone of course is the fruit of a coniferous tree and its main function is to be the carrying case for the tree's precious seeds.
Rows of tough scales protect the seeds, but as the cone dries and the scales open up exposing the inside of the cone, the seeds that had been nestled away safely near the core of the cone become more accessible to the wildlife. I brought some cones inside with the scales barely open; 2 days later, the scales had peeled back, exposing the seeds.The seeds are attached to a wing. As they fall out of the cone, the weight of the seed pulls it toward the ground, while the helicopter-like action of the wing slows its descent, providing a fun whirlygig-like descent.
When you look inside the cone, there are 2 seed heads tucked up close to the inner core of the cone and the wings rest neatly on the top of each cone scale.
The seeds near the bottom of the cone were more developed than those near the top. Within an average size Eastern Pine cone like the one I studied, there could be more than 100 seeds encased within, protected by the 50+ scales.
As the cones open, the seeds can either fall out or be picked out by wildlife. Here's a few images of a Dark-eyed Junco feeding on seeds from the Eastern Pine.
These seeds provide a feast for the birds, along with all the other natural food that is still so abundant and available. But as days pass, insects will become less available when temperatures drop and the ground freezes. Uneaten fruits and berries will shrivel and fall, and snow will eventually cover the ground making natural food less accessible. And as fall turns into winter, like during the closing hours of a buffet, natural food sources will become depleted. It is then that the familiar feeder birds that have been enjoying nature's smorgasbord will again turn to our feeders for the high energy snacks that make it just a little easier to survive the long, cold winter months.
Kerri - glad you enjoyed. November's almost over and there are still plenty of pine cones and other natural food still available!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | November 29, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Fabulous post! It has been a banner year for pine cones at our house...and the birds are luvin it!
Posted by: Kerri | November 25, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Paula Jo - the cones I handled were sticky with sap vs. waxy.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | November 11, 2009 at 08:48 PM
it is curious, there is a lot of white waxy subtance on my pine cones. Is this normal?
Posted by: paula jo | November 05, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Marghanita - Thanks much. Pine cones in the home sound like a wonderful decoration!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | October 31, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Love this post. We have 14 Ponderosa Pines in our backyard-as you can imagine we have literally hundreds of pine cones which the birds and squirrels are very thankful for. I love bringing nature into my home and pine cones are a perfect decoration.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Marghanita Hughes | October 29, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Sue - thank you!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | October 27, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Great information!
Posted by: Sue Gregg | October 27, 2009 at 08:31 AM