European Black Pine

The European Black Pine (also known as the Austrian Pine) is an evergreen tree, meaning that it doesn't lose its leaves in the fall. It needs a consistency of sun in order to live, but it can also handle the snow and ice of the winter months. Because it is able to survive in each of these extreme conditions, some of these trees can live up to 500 years.

Anatomy
These evergreens have an increase of height up to about 30 cm per year. They can grow to be up to 120 feet when they reach their most mature stage. Much like many other types of pines, the European Black Pine's branches are covered in many green needle-like leaves. 1-3 inch brown cones are also found hanging on its branches. The "flowers" on the tree give off a yellow appearance and generally start blooming between the months of April and May. 

The bark on this particular type of pine is softer and less strong than other species such as the Red Pine because of its extremely fast growth rate. 

Reproduction
These pines are not sexually mature until about 15-40 years after they first begin to bloom in the soil. As an adult, the pine produces both ovulate and staminate with about 26080 seeds per pound. The yellow 2 cm staminate is located near the bottom of the tree on the lower most branches. Staminate carries an abundance of pollen which allows for the pollination of the ovulate. The ovulate is located near the outermost edge of the branches and is only able to receive pollen from the staminate for about 3 days. After the ovulate is pollinated, they dry up and, months later, fall to the ground. However, fertilization doesn't take place until about a year after the pollen meets the ovulate. This long process changes its color from green to yellow and eventually to brown. The seeds are not dispersed to other areas until the cones open up in the months between December and April and are carried there by the wind. 

European Black Pines usually begin to bloom in the late spring months. Depending on the subspecies and where they are located, they tend to require specific weather conditions and soil to grow properly. 

Ecology
These trees are much appreciated in the wild as they provide seeds for squirrels and homes and nesting areas for owls and other types of birds. Since European Black Pines are evergreen trees, they can live in the warmer temperatures of the summer to the freezing cold temperatures of the winter (i.e. -30° C). They have the ability to take in about up to 40 inches of precipitation a year. Various subspecies of European Black Pines grow better on specific types of soil. For example, the Turkish and Crimean Black Pines grow well in limestone soil whereas trees such as the Corsican Pine do not. Also, depending upon where the tree is located (either east or west) determines the weather conditions they can live up to. 

History and Uses
These trees are native only to Asia Minor and various parts of Europe (i.e. Austria and Italy). The first growth of these pines in the United States was recorded to be as far back as 1759. About 217 million were planted and introduced to the US in its "dustbowl" portion, forcing them to survive the hot, dusty climates of that particular area. 

Their uses vary from making tables to simply being the wood used in the fireplace. They are also planted on the side of the road to help decrease the level of pollutants put into the atmosphere. However, one of their most common uses is for decoration during Christmas in the northern part of the United States. These trees did not originate in the US, but instead were brought there and were forced to adapt to the environment.

Related References

 * Pine, Austrian Arborday
 * European Black Pine Wikipedia
 * Austrian Pine USDA
 * European Black Pine