Daily home & garden tip: How to identify pine cones

Pine cones are all around us in holiday celebrations. Ever wondered which kind is which?

Here's a guide to help you identify some common ones. 

View full sizeWikimedia CommonsBristlecone pine

Bristlecone pine:

The cones are 1 1/2 to 4 inches long, with a prickle at the end.

The OregonianJeffrey pine

Jeffrey pine:

The cone are woody, 5 to 12 inches long and a fat oval; each scale has curved prickle that curves in; typically much larger than ponderosa cones.

The OregonianKnobcone pine

Knobcone pine:

The cones are woody with swollen, knoblike bumps on one side, 3 to 6 inches long, in dense clusters that encircle branches; unique cones may remain on tree so long they are overgrown by bark.

The OregonianLodgepole pine

Lodgepole pine:

The cones are 1 to 2 inches long, egg-shaped, often with a prickle; may hang closed on tree for years until heat of fire releases seeds.

The OregonianPonderosa pine

Ponderosa pine:

The cone are 3 to 5 inches long, egg-shaped; each scale bears a straight prickle.

The OregonianScotch pine

Scotch pine:

The cones are 1 1/4 to 3 inches; they start green and mature to gray or red-brown.

The OregonianShore pine

Shore pine:

The cones are 1 to 2 inches long, egg-shaped, often with a prickle; may hang closed on the tree for years.

The OregonianSugar pine

Sugar pine:

The cones are woody, 10-20 inches long, as much as 4 pounds, with thin scales, borne at tips of long upper limbs. Size distinguishes them from western white pine cones.

The OregonianWestern white pine

Western white pine:

The cones are woody, 5-12 inches long, slender and curved like a banana; scales are thin and often curve up at end, often covered with a white, sticky resin.

-- Homes & Gardens staff

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