[John H]

I was out for a walk with the family today and the kids gathered some cones.

They asked me if they planted them would trees grow?

This probably is a stupid question but I would like to give them the right answer, so if anyone could advise me that would be great.

[Sive]

As far as I know, you don't plant the cones, but you could plant the seeds that the cones are full of....but the cones have to ripen and open up first. I'm sure you'll get a very expert reply by tomorrow!
Good question.....we all have so much to learn.....

[Liparis]

As sive says, it's the seeds from the cones you plant. If the cones are still closed then remove the seeds, if the cones are open then the seeds have more than likely already gone. This would be the case if the cones are on the ground as the seeds are released prior to the cones dropping off.
Bill.

[michael brenock]

some cones take a number of years to mature on the tree, others mature on the ground and need a spell of cold frosty weather (a vernalisation period) before germination starts. I think that
each species has a different period of dormancy and need for low temperatures.
Cones can be opened prematurely by exposing to high temperatures but this can harm the germination levels.
michael brenock horticultural advisor

[John H]

Thanks for your helpfull answers

So the simple anwser is not really. I would have to do a bit of research on each particular type of cone.

Do you know of any fairly easy cones to plant that I could look for?

[Liparis]

most should grow fairly easily, trouble is, most will be pretty high up, though you might find some low hanging ones on occasion. Larch (Larix europaea) should do pretty well. Find a tree with some low hanging cones forming on them then keep an eye on them ripening later in the year.
Bill.