November 22, 200817 yr I wouldn't be shocked at all to discover that BCG pulls out pine history on recruiting trips. If so, then I just hope they share the following morsel of information: All Conifers have their stamens and ovules in distinct inflorescences, and in the Taxacea these are on separate trees ("dioecious"); but most Araucariacea and all Abietina are "monoecious." Whilst there is seldom a typical cone among the Taxacea, or among the Cupressina, in which the scales are arranged in alternating whorls, the mathematically exact spirals of the cones of the Abietina are very characteristic. Truly inspiring.
November 22, 200817 yr I wouldn't be shocked at all to discover that BCG pulls out pine history on recruiting trips. I know one of the tools they use at Stanford to persuade recruits is to take them to see all big trees, so I'm fairly sure Coach G. does this type of thing as well.
November 22, 200817 yr Author If so, then I just hope they share the following morsel of information: All Conifers have their stamens and ovules in distinct inflorescences, and in the Taxacea these are on separate trees ("dioecious"); but most Araucariacea and all Abietina are "monoecious." Whilst there is seldom a typical cone among the Taxacea, or among the Cupressina, in which the scales are arranged in alternating whorls, the mathematically exact spirals of the cones of the Abietina are very characteristic. Truly inspiring. Agreed :thumb:
November 22, 200817 yr Author What significance do pine trees have in various cultures? Are you kidding me? I'll start with Christmas trees :thumb:
November 22, 200817 yr ^ I thought that maybe you could cover all current major cultures...in separate posts of course....first. Then go back and cover lost cultures, such as the Inca. Separate posts, again, of course.
November 22, 200817 yr What significance do pine trees have in various cultures? You have brought this discussion to a whole new level, and for that, I applaud you TB&G!!! According to whitepineacupunctureandmassage.com (a well-respected website whose knowledge of Pine culture is second to none): One of the healing associations of the white pine tree is resilience. In plant terminology, resilience is a measurement of a plant’s ability to tolerate conditions of adversity and return to a healthful state. Demonstrating resilience through challenging climatic circumstances, pines remind us of our own ability to “weather climatic shifts” and to continue to work to secure the well being of future generations through difficult times. The Trees of Resilience are highly valued medicinals by the Native Americans, Chinese, and European cultures, bringing qualities of clarity and peace.
November 22, 200817 yr Author Let's take a closer look at the simple Christmas Tree: Christmas Tree Facts Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest. In 2002, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, and Virginia were the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon was the leading producer of Christmas trees – 6.5 million in 2002. The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine. More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to ten years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree. In the United States, there are more than 21, 000 Christmas tree growers.
November 22, 200817 yr Araucaria bidwillii is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the genus Araucaria, family Araucariaceae. It is native to south-east Queensland with two small disjunct populations in northern Queensland's World Heritage listed Wet Tropics, and many fine old specimens planted in New South Wales. It can grow up to 50 m. The bunya pine (A. bidwillii) is the last surviving species of the Section Bunya of the genus Araucaria. This section was diverse and widespread during the Mesozoic with some species having cone morphology similar to A. bidwillii, which appeared during the Jurassic. Fossils of Section Bunya are found in South America and Europe. A. bidwillii was a sacred tree for the Aboriginal people. The vernacular name is Bunya, Bonye, Bunyi or Bunya-bunya, from various tribes or European variations of the Australian Aboriginal name for the tree; it is also often called Bunya Pine (though this is inaccurate as it is not a pine). It is also commonly referred to as the False Monkey Puzzle, despite its obvious physical differences from the Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana). The seeds are edible, and are similar to pine nuts, and have been an important food resource for Australian Aboriginal people; groves of the trees were often under particular tribal ownership. They are eaten both raw and cooked. Traditionally they were also ground and made into a paste, which was eaten directly or cooked in hot coals to make bread.
November 22, 200817 yr Let's take a closer look at the simple Christmas Tree: Christmas Tree Facts Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest. In 2002, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, and Virginia were the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon was the leading producer of Christmas trees – 6.5 million in 2002. The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine. More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to ten years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree. In the United States, there are more than 21, 000 Christmas tree growers. The Christmas tree holds much cultural significance for our 3 cats also. An occasional urine soaked gift from Santa isn't entirely unheard of though thankfully it has been several years since the last incident.
November 22, 200817 yr Author I"m going to have to let this all soak in. I'm going to go eat and think about this subject for a few. I'll be back! Here are a few more Christmas Tree facts to verify the cultural importance of the pine tree: In the United States, there are more than 12,000 cut-your-own farms. In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran. From 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" would tie up at the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans. The tradition of an official Chicago Christmas tree was initiated in 1913 when one was first lit by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family. The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510. Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife. Recycled trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter. The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started in 1851 in New York by Mark Carr. Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature. Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air. Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has presented the Boston Christmas Tree tree to the people of Boston in gratitude for the relief supplies received from the citizens of Boston after a ship exploded in 1917 following a collision in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor. Part of the city was leveled killing injuring thousands. The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ. Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. 100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry. 98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms. In 1856 Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was the first President to place a Christmas tree in the White House. President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923. In 2002, 21% of United States households had a real tree, 48% had an artificial tree and 32% had not tree. 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted this year. In 2002, 32 percent of Christmas trees displayed in United States were real trees; 49% were fake trees. On average, over 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre. You should not burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace; it can contribute to creosote buildup. Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past. Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill. There are over 500 Christmas tree growers in Illinois. In 2002, over 144,000 real trees were harvested in Illinois. Using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the 17th century. Nineteenth century Americans cut their trees in nearby forests. Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass produced in 1890. In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy. Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons. In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day. Michigan ranks third (2.4 million trees in 2002) among all states in the production of real Christmas trees, but grows a larger variety (13) of Christmas trees than any other state. A Christmas tree decoration was banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now it’s made of plastic. Real Christmas trees are involved in less than one-tenth of one percent of residential fires and only when ignited by some external ignition sources. In 1998 more than 32 million Real Christmas Trees were used in the U.S. Of these, only 0.00093% were ignited in home fires. 93% of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard. In 2003, 21% of Christmas trees sold were from chain stores, 15% by non-profit groups. 13% from retail lots and 35% from choose and cut farms. An estimated 175,000 Real Christmas Trees are sold via e-commerce or catalogue and shipped mail-order. In 2005 the retail market value of the 32.8 million trees purchased at the average purchase price of $41.90 was $1,374 million. 32.8 million Christmas trees were purchased in 2005. Christmas trees are baled to protect the branches from damage during shipping. 34-36 million Christmas trees were harvested in the United States in 2001. Helicopters help to lift harvested Christmas trees from farms. An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people. In 1984, the National Christmas was lit on December 13th with temperatures in the 70's, making it one of the warmest tree lightings in history. In 1900, large stores started to erect big illuminated Christmas trees. Every year since 1947, the people of Oslo, Norway have given a Christmas tree to the city of Westminster, England. The gift is an expression of good will and gratitude for Britain's help to Norway during World War II. The first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531. Oregon produces the most real Christmas trees. In 2002, 6.4 million trees were harvested in Oregon. Oregon led the nation in 2002 with 67,804 acres in Christmas tree production. Illinois had 6,355 acres in production. In 2002, 446,996 acres of land in the United States were in Christmas Tree production. 2-3 seedlings are planted for every harvested Christmas tree. In 2004 sixty million Christmas tree seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers. 93% of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard. In 2003, 78% of Christmas trees purchased were pre-cut and 22% were cut your own. 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees are sold in the U.S. every year.
November 22, 200817 yr I"m going to have to let this all soak in. I'm going to go eat and think about this subject for a few. I'll be back! Here are a few more Christmas Tree facts to verify the cultural importance of the pine tree: I hate it so that you are leaving us hanging like this, but I do understand your need for nourishment. May your dinner be pleasing your Pineness.
November 22, 200817 yr The Christmas tree holds much cultural significance for our 3 cats also. An occasional urine soaked gift from Santa isn't entirely unheard of though thankfully it has been several years since the last incident. It must hold culture significance for all felines. One year, my two cats left me a present on Christmas morning...a freshly killed mouse, wrapped up in the tree skirt (I guess that I had already used all of the gift bags and ribbons). They sat there, very pleased as I found their present.
November 22, 200817 yr It must hold culture significance for all felines. One year, my two cats left me a present on Christmas morning...a freshly killed mouse, wrapped up in the tree skirt (I guess that I had already used all of the gift bags and ribbons). They sat there, very pleased as I found their present. :laugh::laugh::laugh: One of our cats "Annie" is an accomplished hunter and has never met an animal that she didn't want to kill. One day a few years ago, I walked out onto our deck and saw Annie sleeping in one of our lounge chairs. Next to her was a mouse head. Nothing else, no tail, torso, nothing, just a head. It's eyes were closed and it actually looked very peaceful there next to the cat. If it weren't for the fact that the body was missing, I would have sworn they were both just taking a nap.
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