Pine Trees

Although the Conejo Valley is primarily known for its oaks trees, there is another tree that lines our streets and stands nearly 100 feet tall. I am talking about the pine tree.

'Tis the season to bring pine trees inside our homes, but what we might not realize is that we have so many pines growing and creating beauty outside of our homes as well. It is almost like having a Christmas Tree year-round.

Although there are over 100 different species of pine trees all over the world, Thousand Oaks is home to just a few of them. The one we see most often along our streets is the Canary Island Pine.

The Canary Island Pine is originally from Spain. It can live to be 150 years old. It thrives in the Conejo Valley because it loves sunshine, does not need much water, and can grow in any soil.

This weeks newsletter will explore the characteristics of the Canary Island Pine and other pine trees that make this season so festive!

Canary Island Pine Tree

Canary Island Pines line the streets in Thousand Oaks. You can spot them along Moorpark Road, Pederson Road, and Lynn Road.

You can spot Canary Island Pines and several other types of pine trees at our local parks. Be sure to admire with caution if walking under them during the winter. Pinecones are beginning to open and drop off these trees from great heights. The pinecones that do not get eaten by squirrels may have a chance to get buried underground and grow a new tree nearby.

Pinecones

Did you know that pinecones can stay on pine trees for more than 10 years before falling to the ground? During that time, seeds for new pine trees grow under the scales of the pinecones. The scales protect the seeds from bad weather—and hungry animals. However, the seeds will eventually need to be released so that they can grow into new trees.

To make sure the seeds have the best chance of finding fertile soil and growing into trees, the pinecone scales stay tightly closed when the weather is inhospitable to new seed growth—that is, when it’s very cold and damp outside. In contrast, when the weather is hot and dry, the seeds will have an easier time finding good soil for growing into trees. In these conditions, the pinecone scales will open, allowing seeds to escape and drift away to find new ground to grow into new trees!

After pinecones fall from the tree, they can still open and close; and you can test the conditions that cause this—all from home! Click on the picture below for the complete instructions on how to test this out!

Christmas Tree Guide

In this episode of “Nature Boom Time,” Charlie, Kirby, and Patrick visit the largest Christmas tree farm in the world. Check it out as they explain how to tell the difference between the three main types of Christmas trees.

Christmas Tree Farm

We are so lucky to have a working Christmas Tree farm in the Conejo Valley. Christmas Tree farms first began in 1901, when Theadore Roosevelt encouraged farmers to grow Christmas Trees for people to cut down so that they would not chop down wild trees. His efforts spurred a movement to create a farming industry to promote conservation and help the ecology of the area surrounding the farms.

Christmas Ranch Tree Farms was started in 1971 by Don and Marilyn Cameron on two acres of land in Simi Valley. Their first selling season was December 1974. A ten acre parcel of transmission land was added in Thousand Oaks in 1972 and has now been expanded to about 15 acres. Ten different types of trees are currently growning on this land. This farm is a fantastic place to wander and pick out your holiday tree.

For hours, location, and more information about this fantastic farm visit:
https://www.christmasranchtreefarms.com

ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR?
If you would like this information in a format you can distribute to your class, let's chat! Email Christina at naturekidsactivities@gmail.com

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