Pine tree flower. Female flower of a Scots pine tree (Pinus sylvestris). The flower, seen here at centre and surrounded by pine needles, is the female reproductive structure, and develops into a pine cone after fertilisation by pollen from the male reproductive structures. Scots pine trees can be male or female. The male trees form catkins and disperse pollen. Female trees form flower buds and after several years of development, fertilisation, and yet more development takes place. In the right conditions, the resulting mature pine cone opens and sheds its seeds. This flowering stage occurs in late May or early June. Photographed in May, in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.