It has also been raining pine cones near Abingdon Library. The cones are scattered around, some near the base of the tree, while others have rolled into the road.

A few have rolled or been kicked down the underpass.

This evening it began to rain. I remember from school days that pine cones open when they are dry and close when they are damp. The winged seeds beneath each scale are released when conditions are right for floating on the wind. If a cone falls before all its seeds have been released, it can continue opening and shedding seeds on the ground.

There is not much chance, however, for any seeds from the cones near the bottom of the underpass. But stranger things have happened. I picked one up and will let you know if I get any seedlings.