Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Pine Cone Uses 
Name: Ben
Status: student
Grade: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Could pine cones be used to make wood and paper products when processed correctly? I mean, the material protecting the pine seeds looks like wood. I was wondering if you have ever heard of anyone processing this material to make particle board, paper, or anything else useful.

Replies:
Pine cones are mainly used for decoration:

http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestMarketing/TreeProducts.cfm

Anthony Brach Ph.D.

Dear Ben,

Pine cones often have gooey flammable resins and compared with most useful wood products, are made up of very small pieces of wood. Plants used for paper have long fibers in them which pine cones do not have. For these reasons, pine cones are not likely to have commercial utility in wood or paper products. They are great in wreaths and floral displays. They often produce a flash of light and color when tossed in a fire. You can glue plastic eyes on them and make whimsical figures or paint them as decorative things. They are useful.

Jim Tokuhisa, Ph.D.


Click here to return to the Botany Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory