Pine trees, or Pinus, are a wonderfully diverse genus that produce species of many shapes and sizes. They are an excellent addition to any landscape, for aesthetic and environmental reasons.
| Botanical Name | Pinus |
| Common Names | Pine tree |
| Type of Plant | Evergreen, coniferous tree |
| Origin | Northern Hemisphere, parts of the tropics and temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. There are various species that grow at latitudes from as far north as 66°N to as far south as 12°N. |
| Popular Species | – Ponderos Pine – Sugar Pine – Eastern White Pine – Western White Pine – Red Pine – Pitch Pine – Longleaf Pine – Gray Pine – Scots Pine – Shortleaf Pine – Loblolly Pine – Bristlecone Pine |
| Uses | Firewood, furniture, building structures, medicinal purposes (Slippery Elm) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Water Requirements | 10 gallons of water for each inch of the tree’s diameter |
| Soil | Well-draining sandy, silt, or loamy soil |
| Bloom Time | Do not flower, but produce pinecones which house seeds and mature in Autumn |
| Common Pests | Weevils, borer |
Having this tree on your property can help to conserve energy by providing shade and cool breezes in the summer. They also naturally clean the air we breathe.
Depending on the species and its growing conditions, pine trees can live for hundreds of years. In general, they can live anywhere from 20 to 400 years. The longest living pine tree is a bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) and is thought to be around 4800 years old.
The best chance of raising a long-lived pine tree is to grow it in full sun, with enough space to spread its roots. Larger varieties have roots that can grow up to an impressive 75 feet deep. Pine trees also appreciate well-draining, evenly moist soil.
If you’re looking for more advice around pine trees, check out the following guides:
- Treating pine tree that is turning brown or dying pine tree
- Trimming pine tree, or cutting it down
Read also about other forest trees – here are our guides about Sycamore, Acacia, Birch.