A Plan for Studying Pines 



ADAPTED TO SEVENTH GRADE 



J. Andrew Drushel 

 Professor of Nature-Study, Harris Teachers College, St. Louis, Mo. 



Pines may be distinguished from other ever- 

 green trees by the fact that their leaves are needle- 

 like, occurring in bundles. 



A trip in May when the pines are in bloom 

 should be made to some convenient park to study 

 (i) the character and position of the flowers with 

 reference to pollination, (2) the character and 

 position of the fruiting cones, (3) the nature of the 

 leaves as regards length and number in a bundle. 



The knowledge gained from 2 and 3 above will 

 enable the children to distinguish the five pines 

 commonly found in our parks, thus : 



1. Needles 5 in a bundle — ^White Pine. 



2. Needles 3 in a bundle cones armed — Pitch 

 Pine. 



3 . Needles 2 in a bundle. 

 I . Needles 4 in. to 6 in. long, stiff — ^Austrian 



"Pine. 



2. Needles 4 in. to 6 in. long, not stiff — Red Pine. 



3. Needles less than 4 in. long, cones turned back on branch 

 — Scotch Pine. 



II 



The Pine Tree 



Select a typical Austrian Pine, or if this is not available one of 

 any other species, and confine your notes and sketches to the one 

 tree, though comparing it frequently with other pine trees. 



The following outline may be used to good advantage. 

 I . The Stem. 



I. Note the general form of the entire plant. 



What is the form of the top? 



Sketch the outline of the tree. 



6 



White pine cone. 



