Pine Tree Crosses
Every day I get so many unsolicited articles on my
phone. Some are advertisements, others
are offers, and most are outrageous stories, which are untrue. So much fake news is fabricated, I am very
skeptical to take what I read, especially on Instagram, at face value. However, on Good Friday I was pleasantly
surprised by a post which explained a unique feature of pine trees. Now, I am not a big fan of pine trees this
time of year because their pollen is falling and that turns my respiratory
system into a mess. The itchy throat and
headache are enough to make me want to hide inside. Yet, once again I am
astounded by the wonders of nature and have to share this remarkable fact.
Very simply, this unknown lady on an Instagram video explained
how the pine tree has a phenomenon in early spring, often close to Easter,
where new growth appears and forms a cross-like shape. This is especially true for white pines. The “candle” part (new growth) has two small
buds out each side that make the cross.
She then showed a photo of the pine trees in this stage. I immediately could not believe this as I
have never heard of this characteristic.
Living in SC and NC most of my life, I have been around an abundance of pine
trees. I ventured out to prove this was
another example of clickbait, only to find that on Good Friday, there were indeed
tiny crosses at the end of the pine branches high up in the tall pine trees. What?!
God is so intricate in his creation that he would have this symbol of
his death be evident on Good Friday. I
am so pleased this time that I was in the algorithm that produced this fun fact
for me. It is both amazing and
inspirational. It is one of those things
that I won’t forget. Being from
Tennessee, I was taught about the significance of the dogwood blossoms, which
are also currently in bloom. These white
flowers are cross-shaped as well and have red tipped petals that symbolize the
five wounds in Christ’s hands, feet and head.
In addition, the Maypop (passionflower) is symbolic of the
Passion of Christ. In the 16th century,
missionaries used its intimate anatomy to describe the crucifixion. The crown of thorns is the corona; the wounds
are the five anthers, and the nails are the three stigmas. The climbing tendrils represent the whips
used to torture Jesus. The ten petals
and sepals depict the 10 faithful apostles (excludes Judas and Peter) and the
three-lobed leaves represent the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Isn’t it phenomenal how hidden deep within the structures of
nature, there are so many symbolic signs of God’s love for us? If only we would take the time to notice
them.
Wishing the peace that comes from the power of the
Resurrection to everyone.
Tammy Harvey
4/4/2026
