How do pine trees spread their seeds?

Pine trees are very common plants. The tall and straight posture of pine trees can be seen in many scenic spots, so how do pine trees spread seeds? Let's take a look at it.

First, how do pine trees spread seeds?

1. It's transmitted by the wind. There are many small pieces on the fruit of the pine tree, each with seeds the size of melon seeds. Each small seed has a thin layer like wings, and every time the pine cone is ripe, the small piece will open. As soon as the wind blows, the seeds hidden in the small piece will fly with the wind. When the wind is quiet, the seeds fall.

two。 Spread by animals. Some birds and some beasts feed on pine cones. After they ate the pine cones, the undigested seeds fell with the feces. Squirrels take pine nuts to the cliffs, and they store pine cones as food in caves on the cliffs. When the squirrel is not finished or other reasons lead to the pine nut left, it helps the pine nut spread. Some Jays and rodents collect pine nuts on the ground, pull out small pieces of pine nuts and bury them in the soil.

3. The fruit naturally falls to the ground, and the seeds that vibrate and roll on the ground take root and sprout under the right conditions.

2. How do pine seeds grow

It takes a long time for cones to ripen. The male and female cones of a few tropical pines appear in buds at the end of winter, while the cones of most pines appear in buds in early spring, late spring or early summer.

Male cones are clustered, green or yellow to red before maturity, light brown or brown when pollen falls off, and soon after maturity. The female cones appear immediately after the male cones and are green or reddish purple.

Female cones suberect when pollinated. After pollination, the scales close and the cones begin to develop slowly.

Fertilization occurs in spring or early summer about 13 months after pollination, and then the cones begin to grow rapidly. generally, the cones mature at the end of summer and autumn in the second year, and its color gradually changes from green and purple to yellow, light brown or dark brown.

The scales of most pine cones open soon after maturity, and the seeds fall off quickly (Pinus massoniana, Pinus tabulaeformis, etc.); in a few pine trees, the process of scale opening and seed shedding lasts for several months.

In some pine trees, some or all of the cones are closed or open irregularly during the year. Korean pine cones are large and heavy, and are easily blown off by the wind before and after ripening.