Pine Tree Identification

Majorly covering the northern hemisphere, the pine tree can be found over a significant portion of the globe. It has ample uses due to its being amongst the most commercially significant of tree species harvested for timber and wood pulp. The resin of some species serves as vital source for turpentine, whereas some others have big seeds ‘pine nuts’ that are sold for cooking and baking purposes. At times cultivated, normally pine trees grow to cover up the entire forest. Though over 100 varieties of pine trees are known to occur, this article instructs how to identify some important species of the pine.

 

Eastern White – This variety of pine tree is also known as Pinus Strobes. The distinctive identifying markers for this Eastern White pine tree is its branching rings that get added every passing year. It is the only five-needled eastern pine.

 

Sugar Pine – Sugar Pine tree is also called Pinus Lambertiana. It is the tallest as well as the largest of all pines and is known to reach heights of 53 to 61 m (i.e. 175 to 200 ft). Some common names used for this specie of pine are Big Pine, California Sugar Pine, Gigantic Pine, Great Sugar Pine, etc.

 

Red Pine - It is also known by the name Pinus Resinosa. On an average, this variety of pine tree has a diameter of about 80 feet and attains a height of about 80 feet.

 

Jack Pine – This pine tree variety is also called Pinus Banksiana. This pine is a small to medium sized coniferous tree and is known to grow abundantly in places like America and Canada. 

Longleaf Pine – Another name for this pine tree is Pinus Palustris. It has the longest needle growing in groups of three. The needles are commonly known to attain a length of 18 inches (i.e. 45 cm) or so and elegantly droop from course, stout branches of a mature tree.