Introduction
Recently, I’ve been learning about the northern forests and coniferous trees. When we visited our local park, we found pine needles and two types of cone: Scots pine and Norway spruce. Later, we examined them.
Needles
Living in cold conditions, coniferous trees have adapted leaves, long thin needles. One of their adaptations is a groove running along the needle. This holds still air above stomata, decreasing the tree’s chance of losing water vapour. Water is used for making glucose by trees along with carbon dioxide and sunlight. When the glucose reacts with oxygen, it makes energy for the tree.
The needle we found belongs to Scots pine and is much longer than the needles of Norway Spruce.
Cones
Coniferous trees don’t produce fruit but cones.
The cones of Norway spruce are longer than those of Scots pine.
The cones of yew trees leave the seed exposed and are fruit-like.
However, cones are normally covered in scales.
Scots pine scales are very thick and have a circular bump in the center.
Meanwhile, the scales of Norway spruce are thinner and have two bumps at the top.
Underneath each scale, there are two seeds.
When the cones open, they release the seeds.
These seeds have wings to travel further.
Closing thoughts…
I enjoyed having a look at the cones and needles. I’ve read about the needles’ adaptations, but I’m glad I was able to look at them in person. Something that really surprised me was that the arils on a yew tree aren’t fruit but cones. I always thought all cones had scales.