The Pine Tree and the Cross

Submitted by Jeff Davis

Florida has a number of pines that are native to Florida, but one species in particular has medium length needles and is common to the drier areas. The long needled pines and the sand pines (with very short needles) also display this, but not as clearly as the Florida pine.

Every year in Spring the pine sends up a long growth stem from the very center of the tree. It shoots straight up to the sky and grows longer in length in a shorter period of time than other growth any time throughout the year.

What is amazing is that during Holy Week every year, this growth takes the shape of a cross. It is very clearly a cross, high in the sky, at the top of the tree for all to see. This happens every year during Holy Week. It doesn't matter if Holy Week is in March or April or early or late. It always happens during Holy Week. It's happening now.

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