Pinus - Pine

Pinaceae

Breiter als hoch und traumschön steht diese Kiefer in der Baumschule Lorenz von Ehren

Klein kompakt und kugelig ist diese Kiefer

Hochstammkiefern licht und leicht in der Baumschule

Our Pinus

By far, pines are the largest and most varied group among coniferous trees. The Pinus genus comprises more than 100 species, including all conceivable growth forms - giant trees, countless intermediate forms, and low shrubs. Pines do not grow as strictly conical as spruces or firs; many of them develop bizarre and picturesque crowns as they age.

Pine needles do not grow individually, but in so-called short shoots with two, three or five needles, depending on the specie. It can be assumed that the two- and three-needle pine species are the more adaptable. In extreme conditions they grow better than five-needle species. Pines have monoecious blossoms. The catkin-shaped males are often noticeably yellow, and the cone-like females appear in different, rather inconspicuous hues.

At the beginning, pinecones are elastic, later they become lignified, either standing upright on the branches or curved and hanging loosely. Unlike akin spruces or firs, pines get thick and impressively coloured bark with age.

The root system of almost all pines grows deep, but it is very adaptable to soil volume and substrate. Pine’s particular advantage is its tolerance toward its plant partners. However, despite all the pine’s tolerance, it should not be crowded, constricted and shaded by higher or equal-sized trees, and - in the case of dwarf species - even by perennials.

Otherwise, they grow crooked and die off over time. Thanks to a dispersed crown structure of adult pines, which is never so strictly symmetrical as in spruces and firs, it is possible to achieve impressive tree trunks with the aid of special horticultural measures. As the result, the adult pine will get a picturesque crown.

Species and variety overview

A. Habit

Large trees

Medium sized trees

Small trees

Large shrubs

Shrubs

Small shrubs

Dwarf shrubs

B. Form

Conical

Columnar

Half-round to rounded

Asymmetrical crowns

C. Needles

Fresh/light green

Dark green

Grey/blue green to blue

D. Cones

E. Attractive bark

Find your Pinus

Pinus aristata

Bristlecone Pine

2 to 6 m

1 m