What are these small pineapple-looking structures at the end of white pine branches?
White pine male cones are opening and releasing pollen! While these clusters of male cones are roughly pineapple-shaped, the word “pineapple” was first used in 14th century English to describe female pine cones (medieval botanists often used “apple” to refer to any unfamiliar fruit). Then “pineapple” was used by European explorers in the 1600s as they thought the tropical fruit resembled a large pine cone.
White pines bear male and female cones on the same tree. Male cones have papery scales that open to disperse loads of light yellow pollen to the wind. You may see it on the edges of puddles or covering your windshield.
White pine male cones are only around in late spring/early summer, while female cones develop over two summers. After the pollen is dispersed, look below white pine trees for a carpet of shed male cones.
