You can tell the difference between a deciduous tree and a conifer at first glance by the needles. But could you spontaneously describe the needles of a pine tree? If you take just a few minutes to read the following article, you will soon be an expert at identifying jaws by their needles.
Pine needles vary greatly in length
appearance and shape
Pine needles reach a length of 2.5 to 50 cm. In contrast to other conifers, they have a comparatively long shape, but are relatively narrow at 0.5 to 2.5 cm. If you take a closer look, you can see the fine sawing on the edge of the sheet.
However, this information is still relatively vague and does not serve to reliably identify the conifer. To give you an even more precise definition, here are different species and their appearance:
- Banks Pine: whorls, two needles, up to 4 cm long, rounded tip, green to yellowish
- Flexible jaws: up to 8 cm long, slightly canted, blue-green
- Yellow pine: very soft needles, 2-5 pieces up to 20 cm long at a base
- awned pine: dark green to blue-green needles, five at a base, 4 cm long, often coated with a film of resin
- Jeffrey's Jaws: Three at a base, triangular and twisted, up to 20 cm long, blue-green
- Jersey pine: two specimens at a base, twisted, 8 cm long, showy luster
leaf shedding
The needle base mentioned above forms the link between the branch and the needles. A needle sheath surrounds the base for protection. Pine needles sometimes stay on the tree for 30 years. They either fall down individually or together with the base.
importance for medicine
You probably know the incomparable scent of pine needles. After a rainy day in the forest, it has a relaxing effect on many people. The essential oils responsible for this are also used in medicine. Healing infusions in saunas or baths relieve
- inflammation
- bronchitis
- rheumatism
- and muscle pain
Even our ancestors used pine needles as a blood purifier.
What to do in case of discolouration?
If the needles on your pine turn brown or fall off more frequently, you should monitor the development. Although the pine is an evergreen coniferous tree, a leaf change takes place every two to ten years. If your jaw doesn't recover from this condition, it may be lying
- a nursing mistake
- a vermin
- or the widespread jaw dieback