While trees in your yard can come with many benefits, they can sometimes leave quite a mess—and pine trees are no exception. As a result, many homeowners with pine trees on their property find some puzzling objects in their grass.
Have you spotted some unusual objects around your pine tree? You’re not the only one. As you come to understand your pine trees a little better, you will have a much easier time caring for them and your yard.
So, what are the brown things that fall from your pine trees? Are they bad for your lawn? More importantly, what should you do with them? Here is everything you need to know.
Pollen Cones
Pollen cones are small, brown, or green cones that often fall from pine trees. Many people confuse them with pine cones, though pollen cones are slightly different.
They are usually between half an inch and one inch long. They have a cone-like shape that’s similar to pine cones. Their texture is scaly and smooth, similar to that of a reptile.
Some people refer to pollen cones as pine tree blooms or “male pine cones” because of their role in pine tree reproduction. As their name suggests, pollen cones release pollen and fertilize the “female” pine cones of other trees.
Pine Cones
When people think of pine trees, pine cones are one of the first things that come to mind. These are the most common objects that fall from pine trees.
Pine cones can vary in size depending on the species of the pine tree in your yard. They can range between 1.5 and 24 inches long. They have a cone-like shape with open scales that collect pollen. Their color is typically dark brown.
Because of their role in pine tree reproduction, some people refer to pine cones as “female pine cones” to differentiate them from pollen cones. You can start a pine tree from a pine cone.
Are Pollen Cones and Pine Cones Bad for Your Yard?
Some people enjoy having pollen cones and pine cones in their yards. Others may see these objects as a nuisance. Whether you keep these seeds in your yard depends on your personal preference.
However, leaving too many pine cones and pollen cones in your yard can damage your grass over time. They can also damage your lawnmower if you run them over. So if you are trying to keep a tidy lawn, it may be a good idea to get rid of them.
Fortunately, getting rid of pine cones in your yard is simple. You can pick them up by hand, gather them with a rake, or even use designated pine-cone-removal tools.
What To Do With Pollen Cones and Pine Cones
Now that you have identified and collected the mystery objects from your pine tree, you may be wondering what to do with them.
Both pollen cones and pine cones can have many uses. The simplest way to dispose of them is to add them to your compost piles and mulch. And if you would like to attract birds to your yard, you can turn them into biodegradable bird feeders.
If you are growing a pine tree, you can get creative with the cones. Pine cones can make great sources of inspiration for children’s arts and crafts. You could even boil them with cinnamon sticks to create fragrant seasonal decor!