Pine Tree

Division = Pinophyta

Class = Pinopsida

Order = Pinales

Family = Pinaceae

Scots Pine = Pinus sylvestris

Ponderosa Pine = Pinus ponderosa

Maratime Pine = Pinus pinaster

Red Pine = Pinus resinosa

Swiss Pine = Pinus cembra

Pine needles grow in groups called ‘fascicles’ with the number of needles in each group used to identify the species type. 2 needles per fascicle for example could indicate the tree is a scots pine whereas 5  needles per fascicle could indicates it is a swiss pine. Some pines needles need fire to release their seeds as in the case of the maritime pine for example. These sorts of seeds are referred to as being “serotinous”. Other seeds are dispersed by birds such as the swiss pine. As a result, the seeds are wingless. The swiss pine can tolerate severe winter temperatures to at least -50 degrees Celcius however the maritime pine needs light, heat and humidity. The pine tree family is such a diverse group of trees in Europe alone.