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Mrs Jones fruit orchard is one of Central Otago's most well known orchards- on the highway from Cromwell to Queenstown

Large selection of fresh and dry fruits available all year round from the roadside stall

Giant cones off the Coulter Pine ( Pinus Coulteri) named after the Irish botanist who found them on an expedition to California and Mexico in 1831.

The outstanding characteristic of this tree is the large, spiny cones which are 20-40 cm (8-16 in) long, and weigh 2-5 kg (4-10 lbs) when fresh. Coulter Pines produce the largest cones of any pine tree species (people are actually advised to wear hardhats when working in Coulter Pine groves), although the slender cones of the sugar pine are longer.

The large size of the cones has earned them the nickname "widowmakers" among locals. The wood is weak and soft, so that the species is little used other than for firewood. It is also occasionally planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens.

Coulter Pine trees have been growing in Southern California for thousands of years and the Pechanga Band of  Luiseno Indians in that area ate the nuts out of these cones and used the huge needles ( 8 - 10 inches long ) to make headgear and weave baskets.  This practice is still carried out today throughout the world by dedicated crafters. The trees grow in not only Southern California but North Mexico and the Central South Island of New Zealand

It is said that ‘no cone compares to the majesty of the magnificent Coulter pine cone’ and as the Japanese people consider the pine cone a symbol of fertility, long life and good health. Many of New Zealand’s products make their way to Japan

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu

Doina Grigoraş

InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanu

www.slideshare.net/michaelasandaSound: How Bizzare - Maori Kapa Haka groups