Recognize and germinate

Appearance of the pine seeds

The pine seeds sit in the seed cones, which are outwardly different from the pollen cones. They are about three to six inches long and egg-shaped. A single jaw can produce up to 1,600 such cones. The seeds themselves have the following properties:

• approx. 2-5 cm long
• have small wings (approx. 2 cm long)
• flat shape

distribution

Pine seeds only form after two years, as fertilization takes place in the first year. In order to offer the seeds the best germination conditions, the cones only open when the air is dry. When wet, they close again so that the seeds are never completely shed. Some species of pine even only open their cones in extreme heat, such as that caused by a forest fire. They can then thrive on the ash-strewn soil. Thanks to the small wings, pine seeds can cover a distance of around two kilometers.

The full mast

So-called full fattening occurs every five to ten years. Then the pine produces up to 1,000 seeds in a year, much more than usual.

Growing pines from seeds

You want to raise your own jaw. If you are in possession of pine seeds, this can be done with little effort.

Buy pine seeds

The best way to get pine seeds is to visit a nearby tree nursery or browse the internet. If you don't want to invest money, you can also collect pine seeds yourself in the forest. To do this, choose a dry day in spring. It is best to go looking for it at noon, as the humidity increases in the evening.

Instructions for sowing

So go to the sowing before:

1. choose a suitable location
2. lift with the spade a small hole out
3. put the pine seeds in the ground
4. completely close the hole with soil
5. water the site well