Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about something really cool that happens with pine cones. Recently, Squeaks and I went for a walk in the snow and found some interesting things. One of the things we noticed were animal tracks, and Squeaks found some pine cones!
Pine cones are usually brown, so they can be hard to see on the ground. But against the white snow, they really stand out! We picked up a couple of pine cones and brought them back to our fort to take a closer look.
When we first picked up the pine cones, they were all closed up. But once we brought them inside, they started to open up. This is because the scales on the pine cones began to spread apart. These scales are like the ones on a fish, and they help protect the seeds inside the cone.
To understand why pine cones open and close, we need to look at the seeds inside. Seeds are how plants make new baby plants. For seeds to grow, they need light and water. If a seed falls right under its parent tree, it might not get enough light and water because the big tree takes most of it.
Pine cones help seeds travel far away so they can grow better. We did a little experiment with two pine cones. We left one on the table and put the other in a glass of water. The pine cone on the table opened up more, while the one in the water closed up again!
Whether a pine cone is open or closed depends on if it’s wet or dry. When it’s wet, like in the snow, the pine cone closes up to keep the seeds safe inside. This is because wet seeds are heavier and won’t travel far in the wind. But when it’s dry, the pine cone opens up, allowing the seeds to be carried away by the wind to a good place to grow.
Isn’t it amazing how pine cones know when to open and close to help their seeds travel? Nature is full of surprises! Thanks for joining us on this adventure. If you want to keep learning and having fun, be sure to check back with us. Now, let’s go warm up with some hot cocoa!
Experiment with Pine Cones: Find a couple of pine cones and bring them home. Place one pine cone in a dry spot and another in a shallow dish of water. Observe what happens over a few hours. Can you see the difference in how they open or close? Draw a picture of what you see and share your observations with a friend or family member.
Pine Cone Weather Station: Create your own weather station using a pine cone! Place a pine cone outside where you can see it every day. Check it each morning and evening to see if it’s open or closed. Keep a journal of your observations and try to predict the weather based on your pine cone’s behavior. Is it more open on sunny days or rainy days?
Seed Travel Adventure: Imagine you are a seed inside a pine cone. Write a short story or draw a comic strip about your journey from the pine cone to a new place where you can grow. Think about what kind of weather helps you travel and what adventures you might have along the way!
