Life cycle of a conifer tree

Simple explanation of the Life Cycle of a Conifer Tree.

1. Life Cycle of a Conifer Life Cycle of a Conifer
TreeTree

2. 
Trees that grow cones are called Conifers.Trees that grow cones are called Conifers.

3. Have you ever looked closely at a pine cone? Have you ever looked closely at a pine cone?
What do you notice about it?What do you notice about it?

4. Most coniferous
trees have both male
and female cones.
Female cones contain
eggs.
Male cones are small
and soft. They make
pollen. Once the
pollen is released,
male cones shrivel
up.
Female cone
Male cone
When the egg is
pollinated a seed
develops

5. The pollen from the male cone fertilzes the female The pollen from the male cone fertilzes the female
egg to produce the seed inside the cone. egg to produce the seed inside the cone.

6. Cones are made up of many scales that serve to
protect the seeds as they mature.

7. The seeds grow at the bottom of the scales. The seeds grow at the bottom of the scales.
The seeds can grow for two years.The seeds can grow for two years.
Growing Seed

8. 
When it is time, the cone opens up and falls to When it is time, the cone opens up and falls to
the ground. the ground.

9. Wind blows the seeds around. Small Animals Wind blows the seeds around. Small Animals
like Chipmunks eat the cone and seeds get like Chipmunks eat the cone and seeds get
spread even more. spread even more.

10. The seeds will lay in soil and be watered by rain. The seeds will lay in soil and be watered by rain.
The seeds will grow into small plants called The seeds will grow into small plants called
seedlings. seedlings.

11. The seedlings will grow to become small The seedlings will grow to become small
conifer trees called saplings. These sapling trees conifer trees called saplings. These sapling trees
are too young to produce cones. are too young to produce cones.

12. The small saplings take a long time to grow to be The small saplings take a long time to grow to be
a mature Conifer. It can take as long as 70 years a mature Conifer. It can take as long as 70 years
or more. or more.

13. Once the tree is mature, it will produce cones Once the tree is mature, it will produce cones
again that contain the seeds and the cycle will again that contain the seeds and the cycle will
continue! continue!