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Early Xmas in Cumbria

WillowerWillower Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I haven't seen this before. While out wandering with the dog I came across the fir tree pictured below. The snaps hardly do credit to the effect - in the bright sunshine the cones were glittering like something from a birthday party. Is this a common occurence or is it due to the weather which has been excessively dry and hot.

Posts

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Never seen that before....interesting.
    SW Scotland
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    That's extraordinary. 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    It is resin. Dunno what causes it to be produced like that though.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    What a stunning event to witness ; would imagine the heat and dryness is a factor here .
    Thought at first the sp. was Abies pinsapo , but now sure it's the European Silver Fir (Abies alba) .
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I'm not sure what causes it but it turns the cones into great firelighters when they're dry. I use a ghilly kettle when I'm out camping and resinous cones make great fuel for it too. A ghilly kettle is a kettle fueled by small twigs and basically anything that will catch fire in case anyone didnt know.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • WillowerWillower Posts: 3
    Thanks for the interest. The tree is one of several hundred we planted about 10 years ago as Xmas trees. Unfortunately I took my eyes off them at the wrong time so we just use some for ourselves and friends. The rest will eventually be burnt.
    The two fir species we planted were Fraser Fir - abies fraserii and Nordmann Fir - abies nordmannia   or something like that. I'm embarrassed to say that I have forgotten which is which.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I read somewhere that a lot of conifers require the heat of forest fires for their cones to release their seeds ; up to 200 degrees Celsius in some cases ! The resinous nature of these cones is a marvellous indication of evolutions 'diversity' ; a natural firelighter which ensures the survival of the species , often to the detriment of others .
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