OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaPine trees are special because they stay green all year long, even in the cold, snowy winter! Instead of flat leaves, they have long, thin needles that feel a bit prickly. These needles are shaped so that snow slides right off them.
Pine trees have long, thin needles instead of flat leaves. They grow pinecones that hold their seeds inside. Pinecones are really smart! They open up on dry, sunny days so the wind can carry their seeds far away, but they close up tight on rainy days to keep the seeds safe and dry. When you walk near a pine tree, you might smell a very fresh, woodsy scent that many people love.
- The oldest pine tree in the world, called “Methuselah,” is about 4,850 years old!
- That means it was already growing when the ancient pyramids were being built in Egypt.
- The yummy pine nuts that some people eat in salads and cooking actually come from inside pinecones!
