You may find it easy to distinguish a pine from other conifers such as fir or spruce. But do you immediately recognize different characteristics with regard to the different types of pine? And can you possibly name every species of pine? After reading the following article, you will definitely succeed.
The white pine is one of the larger species
General information about the pine
The pine is the most common coniferous tree in Germany. The species diversity of the tree is as multifaceted as the area covered by this plant is large. It is estimated that around 115 different pine species grow in the northern hemisphere. Pine trees can be found in even the most unusual places. The pioneer tree has even adapted to rocky mountains with strong gusts of wind. Discover more interesting properties of the different types of pine below.
The main pine species
The white pine
- Height: 20-40 meters
- Needles: 4-16 cm long, flexible
- Origin: North America
- local use: ornamental and forest tree
The black pine
- Needles: dark green, in two bundles, 8-11 cm long
- Cones: round or ovate, protruding horizontally, 6-8 cm long
- Height: 10-20 meters
- Bark: dark grey
The Scots pine
- Needles: in two bundles, 3-7 cm long, young needles are blue-green
- Bark: on older trees, greyish below, reddish above
- cones: stalked, ovate, 3-6 cm long
- Height: 15-30 meters
The Spire
- Height: 3-10 meters
- Needles: in two bundles
- Cones: asymmetrical, angled, with a crooked stem
- belongs to the endangered pine species
- Occurrence: on shallow, calcareous soils
The slipper
- needles. in two bundles, dark green
- Bark: greyish, black-brown
- Cones: erect, short-stalked
- Height: 1-2 meters
- mostly shrub form
- Occurrence: dry, rocky landscapes
The stone pine
- Needles: 5-8cm long, stiff form, in clusters of five
- Cones: bluish or violet when immature, ovoid, erect
- Height: 10-35 meters
- valuable wood
- Use: forest tree
- Growth rate: slow
Pine trees for bonsai art
Naturally, pine trees tower meters high into the sky. In your garden they are also very good as bonsai trees. Above all
- the Japanese white pine
- or the dwarf pine
are suitable for this type of housing.