Springtime spruces - 2: Pollen cones
Red-purple growths are showing up on spruce trees.
Spring is an amazing time. Most trees are in bloom - even spruce trees. These little red-purple growths are actually the pollen cones. They will swell (and already are swollen in the 3rd picture) and fade to a light purple-green color. Then, they'll release their pollen with the goal that it will reach a receptive cone, resulting in successful reproduction. As spruce cones develop, they're also pretty, with a purplish color developing throughout the summer.
