The forests of Maine stretch from the mountains to the coast: 80% of the state is forested! This stat is the highest of all 50 states. Perhaps this is why Maine is nicknamed the Pine Tree State. The state loves its pines; not only is its state tree the Eastern White Pine, but its state flower is this tree’s pinecone! You may be familiar with the needles and cones already, as they feature prominently on the state license plates and flag.  Some other interesting facts about this state symbol is that the cones actually have more Vitamin C than lemons or oranges!  So, if you need help avoiding scurvy, pack a few pine cones!  Local Native Americans were known to use the pine cones and bark for medicinal purposes, grinding the inner bark into a powder that they used as a sort of flour for cooking.  They also used the resin of these trees for waterproofing various items, such as boats and baskets.

Also featured on Maine’s vehicle plates is the state bird, the black-capped chickadee.  The adorable chickadee is a small songbird whose name comes not only from its “black cap” marking but also for its call, which sounds like “chicka-dee-dee-dee.” They are not migratory birds, so they stay in and around their homes for the entirety of the year. If you have bird feeders, these are some little critters you can see year-round. For our readers outside Maine, they live in vast swaths of the country, too.  If you’re looking to attract them, they tend to favor sunflower seeds!