Candle Pine cone

The Candle Pine is also often known as a Pencil Pine.
It is a very common evergreen conifer that can grow in very average soil, being so tough and hardy. This pine cone was dropped in our drive by the birds who delight in pecking at the cones. This cone, although fully formed, is not yet ripe, and so the birds were unable to crack it. It does make a most interesting subject for today.