Pines are some of the best-known plants around the world. They possess huge economic importance through the timber trade and are easily identifiable due to their characteristic cone-shaped growth form and needle-like leaves.
The pines are a family of around 250 woody, seed-producing plants. They include conifers such as cedars, spruces, firs and pines. Of all the conifers, the pines have one of the largest distributions although they are found almost entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
Pines can be either trees or shrubs. They are all woody, branching plants and grow into the iconic cone shape that pines are famous for. From the top of the tree or shrub, a single ring of new branches each year which creates a gradual increase in length from the newest to oldest branches.
They typically have thick bark and possess needle-like leaves and hardened cones. Most species are evergreen and their leaves are typically long-lived. Leaves of the bristlecone pine, Pinus longaeva, are known to live for up to 40 years.
Pines are well adapted to life in cold environments and in nutrient-poor soils. Their growth form helps to reduce the amount of snow each branch must support over winter and prevents branches from falling off. Often the fallen needles of pines will form a dense mat on the forest floor and prevent other plants growing underneath them. Often being evergreen plants, pines can form a well-developed canopy and reduce the amount of light penetrating to the forest floor. This again prevents other plants growing underneath pines in pine forests.
Pines enjoy receiving high levels of light and can struggle to survive in shaded areas. They also struggle to compete with broad-leaved plants in productive areas such as tropical rainforests.
Many species have the ability to withstand burning. Their thick layer of bark helps to protect the tree during fires and prevent burning of vulnerable woody tissue.