This is because every year pines make a new set of branches. You can surmise how old a pine is by the number of branch "circles". The lil' crosses on top are simply the newest set of branches.
AFAIK Pines are the only trees that grow branches yearly in these circular patterns. Its not all conifers or evergreens, as magnolia nor cedar trees grow branches in this pattern.
This is because every year pines make a new set of branches. You can surmise how old a pine is by the number of branch "circles". The lil' crosses on top are simply the newest set of branches.
AFAIK Pines are the only trees that grow branches yearly in these circular patterns. Its not all conifers or evergreens, as magnolia nor cedar trees grow branches in this pattern.