![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/pin-noir-autriche1.jpg?d=128x128)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. [ Become a Tree Owner ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ### 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](https://ecotree.green/blog/scolyte-typographe-il-faut-entretenir-et-diversifier-les-forets). We'll use it in our reforestation of the [Montplonne forest](%montplonne-forest%) in France. ### European black pine - Overview ### 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. Read moreRead less ![European black pine](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/pin-noir-autriche2.jpg?d=128x128) ### 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. ### Our selection of trees Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change? ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/ad2a046f70a19b5676020f6a34c3b596539cbcd6.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) [Corsican Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/df92dd11cbfeae6aee48aa9a20bf35cee9118475.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Popular [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7547) [Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7547) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/dd7ce55df2c354580f6e5888986fc66b4521810f.jpeg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Only 28 left! New forest [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7614) [Sitka Spruce](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7614) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Priziac forest Morbihan, Brittany, France Add to cart Please note that this is promotional communication. See our [notice of information](https://ecotree.green/en/notice-of-information). [ See our trees ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)graham has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Raphaël has started a [subscription of 2 trees in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Chloe has started a [subscription of 3 trees in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Heta has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Adrian has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/04/ca284db9e94888e3bcebe9af570dcba6ab4eb418.png?d=70x70)Pierre-Olivier helped preserve 1 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Champeau Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6267) project in Champeau Forest (Côte-d'Or, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/dd7ce55df2c354580f6e5888986fc66b4521810f.jpeg?d=70x70)Kevin purchased [2 Sitka Spruces](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7614) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/a3bac1f3bfe7097014d073a5ed13656d31851e3d.png?d=70x70)Robert purchased [1 Hazel](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4090) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/a8aaa055381b5cb648d4614f7cc6a7928c32604e.png?d=70x70)Consafe gave away [3 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/3764) from Orø-Margrete Forest (Sjælland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/df92dd11cbfeae6aee48aa9a20bf35cee9118475.png?d=70x70)Consafe gave away [3 Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7547) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/ad2a046f70a19b5676020f6a34c3b596539cbcd6.jpg?d=70x70)Consafe gave away [3 Corsican Pines](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/3999b46899e4791fd1ff5dccab53f800a2c7edc5.jpg?d=70x70)Thu Trang helped preserve 10.05 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Nouic Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6243) project in Nouïc Forest (Haute-Vienne, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/ad2a046f70a19b5676020f6a34c3b596539cbcd6.jpg?d=70x70)English purchased [1 Corsican Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/06/73607ab34b5ac5f0887ab02d21bb04b8de505aa2.jpg?d=70x70)Margit gave away [1 Newly planted forest bundle bundle](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7205) from Different regions (DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/ba0ad016319bc69697b63bae5029778fb1593a24.jpg?d=70x70)Pierre-Olivier helped preserve 1 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Pézarches Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6248) project in Pézarches Forest (Seine-et-Marne, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/ba0ad016319bc69697b63bae5029778fb1593a24.jpg?d=70x70)Pierre-Olivier helped preserve 1 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Pézarches Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6248) project in Pézarches Forest (Seine-et-Marne, FR) ### It's in the bag, great choice! 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