Pines and other evergreens are soaking up their time in the sunlight, or should we say snow light, during the winter months. Pines are well known for their pinecones and lovely evergreen leaves, also known as needles, that remain on the tree for a full year or more. Not only do needles provide a pop of color during the winter, but they can also provide materials for crafts!
The term evergreen may be misleading. While the yellowing and dropping of needles may be alarming, it is a normal part of the plant’s cycle. Needles have varying life spans based on tree species. For example, white pines retain needles for about three years, red pines drop them in the fourth year, while spruces and firs thin their needles gradually and continuously. There are even a few deciduous conifers that grow and drop a new set of needles each fall! Larches (Larix) are the largest group of deciduous conifers with 11 species growing across boreal forests in North America.
The needle-like shape and thick, waxy coating of these leaves helps to reduce water loss and prevent freezing. These leaves take more energy to make so they tend to hang on to them longer. Let’s use some of these needles to produce masterpieces that will be loved for many seasons to come!
Here’s what you’ll need to make a pine paintbrush:
- A stick or twig
- String or twine
- Paint
- Painting canvas or paper
- Permission to harvest a few needles from a local evergreen tree
- First, find a stick or twig about the thickness of a pencil. This could be found on the ground or on the evergreen tree itself. If you cut a small branch off the tree, make sure you have the owner’s permission first. Break or cut this to a length that feels comfortable in your hand. This will be the handle for your paintbrush.
- Find an evergreen and gather some needles, either off the ground or gently pluck them off the tree. The longer the needles the better!
- Tie the needles around the handle-twig with string or twine.
- Dip your newly-made brush in paint and show off your talents!
