Pines

Pines, or pine trees, refer to trees in the genus Pinus of the family Pinaceae. They are evergreen conifers with a wide distribution across the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere and in some upland tropical areas through cultivation. About 120 species are recognized, and many have been widely planted for timber, pulp, and ornament. Pines provide habitat and food for wildlife and are a major source of resin.

Pines have slender, needle-like leaves arranged in bundles called fascicles, typically containing 2 to 5 needles per bundle, depending on the species. Needles are evergreen and can persist for several years. The reproductive structure comprises woody cones; male cones release pollen, and female cones mature into seed-bearing cones. Cones vary in shape and may persist for years. Many species are adapted to fire, with some producing serotinous cones that open after high temperatures to release seeds.

Species examples include Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), Pinus nigra (Austrian pine), Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine), Pinus taeda (loblolly pine), and Pinus radiata (Monterey pine). Pine nuts, edible seeds from several Pinus species such as Pinus pinea, are widely consumed. Pines face threats from bark beetles, fungal diseases, and habitat loss, but they remain central to forestry and landscape planting.