Tree Seed Photo Challenge Week Two

During the month of April, GBLC is holding a Tree Seed Photo Challenge! Each week we will post a photo of a seed and ask you to identify it. When you submit your guess- even if it's right or wrong!- you will be entered into a raffle prize drawing and the winners will be randomly chosen on Arbor Day. For more information about how the challenge works or the prizes, check out our blog post.

 

Which tree made this seed? 

HINT: Each tree has distinctive leaves, some trees leaves are needles.   

tree seed photo 2

 

This week's tree was...
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)

pitch pine tree

In New England, Pitch Pine most commonly occurs in sandy soils and coastal plains. In the Berkshires, Pitch Pine is a rarity that occurs in higher elevations like the top of East Mountain and Mount Everett. This hardy species is extremely resilient and sends up new shoots in response to stress, such as fire and herbivory by deer. It produces pine cones, a tight cluster of woody scales that are grouped together to protect the developing seeds inside. Its needle-like leaves are green year-round, staying on the tree for several years before falling off. Learn more about the Pitch Pine at Native Plant Trust's Go Botany project and at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Thank you to everyone who participated! This coming Monday we will post a new photo of a tree seed, giving you another chance to enter the raffle prize drawing. Children and adults are encouraged to join in! The final photo challenge will be posted on Monday, April 20th and the winners will be randomly chosen on Arbor Day (Friday, April 24th).

 

nature book

This week, you sent us your favorite nature book titles. Below is a list of recommended nature books including some of your suggestions:

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wohlleben
The Overstory by Richard Powers
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George 
The Pine Barrens by John McPhee
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Healing Code of Nature: Discovering the New Science of Eco-Psychosomatics by Clemens G Arvay
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Berkshire Stories: History - Nature - People - Conservation by Morgan Bulkeley Jr.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Want to order books online and support a local business? When you order books on Bookshop.org, The Bookloft will receive a portion of the sale! If you're looking for more nature-based activities, check out our list below:

 

At-home activities for the whole family

Great Barrington Libraries' free activities for kids

50 Bird Species and the Sounds They Make

Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness free online classes

Nature bingo from Mass Audubon

Art and Play Activities from Art Bar

Greenager's Virtual Programs

 

A Big Thank You To Our Sponsors:

              

            

 

 

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tree seed photo 2