What pine cones do
The pine tree is an evergreen tree with needles for leaves. The pine
tree has pine cones, which are its seed makers.
There are two kinds of pine cones. One is small and delicate. It is full
of tiny grains of pollen that look like yellow powder. The wind blows
the pollen out of the cones.
The other kind of cone is covered with wood scales. These look somewhat
like the scales on a fish. At the bottom of each scale are two little
things called ovules, which contain eggs. The wind brings pollen grains
to the ovules. If a grain of pollen reaches an ovule, the ovule grows
into a seed.
Each pine seed has a woody wing, and when the seed is ripe the wind
blows it off the scale. When it reaches the ground, the seed may take
root and grow into a new pine tree.
