What has many needles but never sews?

How to think about it

1. Sewing needles are for thread, so the needles in the riddle must be a different kind.
2. Think of living things that are described as having needles: porcupines, cacti and some trees.
3. The riddle is usually told around the holidays, when a certain tree comes indoors covered in needles.
4. A pine tree has thousands of needle-shaped leaves and never sews.

Why “a pine tree” is the answer

Pine trees, firs and spruces have thin, pointed leaves that everyone calls needles. A single tree carries thousands of them, and of course none can be threaded. The riddle borrows the word from the sewing kit and hands it to the forest, which is why porcupines and cacti also feel like fair answers.

Common wrong answers

• A porcupine. Porcupines have quills that are often called needles, so this works too; the classic answer is a pine tree.
• A tailor. A tailor has many needles and sews with them, which is the opposite of the riddle.