Black Pine: how to recognize it and how it is used?

This species is resistant to cold, drought, and wind and air pollution.

European black pine

Native to Austria and the Balkans, the subspecies pinus nigra nigricans austriaca has been introduced to a large part of Europe and the U.S. It's a tree species cultivated for production.

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Why does EcoTree plant Black Pine?

This resistant, resinous species produces wood with good mechanical properties. It is particularly used for timber. As a species, it tolerates a variety of soil and helps reforest mountainous terrains. It's also an alternative species to spruce, which had been widely planted in eastern France and fell victim to a bark beetle epidemic. We'll use it in our reforestation of the Montplonne forest in France.

European black pine - Overview

The Black Pine (Pinus nigra) subspecies nigricans var. austriaca is a resinous evergreen tree that typically grows to a height of 25 to 35 meters. It features a dense, rounded crown and a straight trunk, which can exceed eight meters in height, classifying it as a macrophanerophyte (a tall tree).

This species grows slowly and is known for its poor natural pruning due to its strong lateral branches. Its bark is black and deeply furrowed. The new twigs are a matte light brown, and few, if any, needles grow near the base. The tree has resinous, oblong buds, and its needles are dark green, rigid, and prickly. These needles, which range from 8 to 14 cm long, can be straight or slightly curved, and last for 4 to 5 years. They grow almost perpendicular to the branch.

The cones of the Black Pine are conical and egg-shaped, measuring 5 to 8 cm in length. These cones are sessile, meaning they grow directly on the branch without a stem, and they also sit perpendicular to the branch.

The Black Pine is a monoecious tree, meaning it produces both male and female flowers on the same plant. It flowers in May, and its pollen is dispersed by the wind. The cones take two years to mature and fall off the tree the year after maturation.

European black pine - Species requirements

The Black Pine is an interesting tree that helps the environment by growing in areas after the first plants have settled. It loves sunlight and usually appears in plant communities after other trees have started to grow. In some cases, it can be the first tree to grow in an area. Even though it prefers light, young Black Pines can handle some shade.

This tree is tough and can survive in extreme conditions like cold, drought, and air pollution. It grows well on dry, chalky, and clay soils, even if the soil is compact, because of its strong roots that can grow in shallow ground.

Black Pine is well-suited to grow in shady oak and warm beech forests. It can also be planted in areas with Holm oak, but it can be attacked by certain caterpillars.

This tree is often used to reforest dry, rocky areas, especially in northeastern France. It has played a big role in restoring mountain areas like the Southern Alps, where it grows alongside trees like Downy Oak, Scots Pine, and Beech.

Black Pine Wood

Austrian pine produces a softwood with good mechanical properties. It can be used for carpentry and lumber. It is a good wood for making paper pulp. It is prone to the production of abundant knots, but good silviculture can reduce the extent of these.

Black Pine's Symbolism

The name of the pine comes from the Celtic "pen," which means "the head, the top, the point." This tree symbolises an awakening, the consciousness of being. In the Far East, the pine is also a symbol of immortality.

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