You are correct Monty it is not a pine cone at all it is a branch from the tree that has fallen off and dried up. I thought it was to open to be a pinecone thats why I asked. Thanks for solving the problem. Jonathan I tried these in pen blanks but they are just too small at the core to get anything out of. The only thing that shows after turning is the thin dried leaves. Not much of an astetic pen in my opinion