CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY TREE STUDY KIT
MONTEREY PINE
Background for teacher/parent:
- Pines always have needles in bundles.
(Single needle pines are the exception.)
Redwoods and firs do not have needles in bundles.
Monterey pines have three needles in a bundle.
(Kids who look closely will find a few exceptions to this.
There is some variation.)
- Monterey pines are not native to Marin,
though they are of course native to California.
Our local native pine is the Bishop pine, found at Point Reyes,
which has two needles in a bundle.
The mnemonic device is 3 needles - 3 syllables (Monterey),
2 needles - 2 syllables (Bishop).
If you're in the mountains you may see California's other
2-needled pine, the lodgepole,
which also conveniently has two syllables.
Song to the tune of Frere Jaques
Teacher/Parent: Monterey pine
Kids: Monterey pine
Teacher/Parent: I know you!
Kids: I know you!
Teacher/Parent: Three needles in a bundle (hold up three fingers)
Kids: Three needles in a bundle (hold up three fingers)
Teacher/Parent: Mon-ter-ey! (clap with each syllable)
Kids: Mon-ter-ey! (clap with each syllable)
