Pinus nigra
is a tree of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. The majority of the
range is in Turkey. It is found in the higher elevations of the South Apennine mixed montane
forests ecoregion in southern Italy and the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed
forests ecoregion in Sicily. There are remnant populations in the Mediterranean conifer and mixed
forests ecoregion, and in the higher Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria.
It is found at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), most commonly from 250–
1,600 metres (820–5,250 ft). Several of the varieties have distinct English names.[4]
It has naturalized in parts of the midwestern states of the U.S, normally south of the normal native
ranges of native pines.
Description[edit]
Pinus nigra is a large coniferous evergreen tree, growing to 20–55 metres (66–180 ft) high at
maturity and spreading to 20 to 40 feet wide. The bark is grey to yellow-brown, and is widely split by
flaking fissures into scaly plates, becoming increasingly fissured with age. The leaves ("needles")
are thinner and more flexible in western populations (see 'Taxonomy' section below).
The ovulate and pollen cones appear from May to June. The mature seed cones are 5–10 cm (rarely
to 11 cm) long, with rounded scales; they ripen from green to pale grey-buff or yellow-buff in
September to November, about 18 months after pollination. The seeds are dark grey, 6–8 mm long,
with a yellow-buff wing 20–25 mm long; they are wind-dispersed when the cones open from
December to April. maturity is reached at 15–40 years; large seed crops are produced at 2–5 year
intervals.
Pinus nigra is moderately fast growing, at about 30–70 centimetres (12–28 in) per year. It usually
has a rounded conic form, that becomes irregular with age. The tree can be long-lived, with some
trees over 500 years old. It needs full sun to grow well, is intolerant of shade, and is resistant to
snow and ice damage.
Foliage and cone of subsp. nigra
Bark of subsp. laricio
Taxonomy[edit]
The species is divided into two subspecies, each further subdivided into three varieties.[5][6] Some
authorities (e.g. Flora Europaea) treat several of the varieties at subspecific rank, but this reflects
tradition rather than sound taxonomy, as the distinctions between the taxa are small.[7]
Subspecies
P. nigra subsp. nigra in the east of the range, from Austria, northeast and central Italy,
east to the Crimea and Turkey. Needles stout, rigid, 1.5–2 mm diameter, with 3–6 layers
of thick-walled hypodermal cells.
o P. nigra subsp. nigra var. nigra (syn. Pinus nigra var. austriaca, Pinus
nigra subsp. dalmatica) (Austrian pine): Austria, Balkans (except southern
Greece).
o P. nigra subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Turkish black pine): Turkey, Cyprus,
southern Greece.
o P. nigra subsp. nigra var. italica (Italian black pine): central Italy (Villetta
Barrea, in Abruzzo National Park)
o P. nigra subsp. nigra var. pallasiana (syn. Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana)
(Crimean pine): Crimea, Cyprus.
P. nigra subsp. salzmannii in the west of the range, from southern Italy to southern
France, Spain and North Africa. Needles slender, more flexible, 0.8–1.5 mm diameter,
with 1–2 layers of thin-walled hypodermal cells.
o P. nigra subsp. salzmannii var. salzmannii (Pyrenean pine): Pyrenees,
Southern France, Northern Spain.
o P. nigra subsp. salzmannii var. corsicana (syn. Pinus
nigra subsp. laricio, Pinus nigra var. maritima) (Corsican pine): Corsica,
Sicily, Southern Italy.
P. nigra subsp. laricio Koekelare [8]
o P. nigra subsp. salzmannii var. mauretanica (Atlas Mountains black pine):
Morocco, Algeria.
Ecology[edit]
Pinus nigra var. corsicana—Corsican pine, in Corsica.
Pinus nigra var. corsicana—Corsican pine plantation, in Belgium.
In Mediterranean Europe and the Anatolian Peninsula (Asia Minor), trees usually associated with
this species include Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), Bosnian
pine (Pinus heldreichii), Norway spruce (Picea abies), Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani), European silver
fir (Abies alba) and related firs. Several species of juniper (Juniperus spp.), and various broadleaf
trees are associates.
Climate and provenance
Pinus nigra is a light-demanding species, intolerant of shade but resistant to wind and drought.[9] The
eastern P. nigra subsp. nigra exhibits greater winter frost hardiness (hardy to below −30 °C) than the
western P. nigra subsp. salzmannii (hardy to about −25 °C).[5]
Different provenances (seed sources by geographic area) or varieties are adapted to different soil
types: Austrian and Pyrenees origins grow well on a wide range of soil types, Corsican origins grows
poorly on limestone, while Turkish and Crimean origins grow well on limestone. Most provenances
also show good growth on podzolic soils.
Uses[edit]
Lumber[edit]
The timber of European black pine is similar to that of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and red
pine (Pinus resinosa), being moderately hard and straight-grained. It does however tend to be
rougher, softer, and not as strong, due to its faster growth. It is used for general construction, fuel,
and in paper manufacture.
In the United Kingdom, Pinus nigra is important both as a timber tree and in plantations (primarily
Corsican pine subsp.). Recently however, serious problems have occurred with red band needle
blight disease, caused by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum, resulting in a major recent decline in
forestry planting there.[10] In the United States it is of low importance as a timber species.
In regard to Austrian pine, the fungus Dothistroma septosporum is widespread and rapidly spreading
out of control throughout the United States. It is out of control and not recommended for
landscaping, especially in groups or rows.[citation needed]
Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal usage[edit]
In Turkey, this pine (subsp. pallasiana) was and is used in various ways, both topically and
internally, as well as for construction and for livestock. Among its uses are curing acne, common
cold, osteomyelitis, and viral infections; acting as an oral antiseptic; treating cracked hands and feet
in the winter; and sealing wooden roofs.
Ornamental usage[edit]
In the US and Canada, the European black pine is planted as a street tree, and as an ornamental
tree in gardens and parks. Its value as a street tree is largely due to its resistance to salt spray (from
road de-icing salt) and various industrial pollutants (including ozone), and its intermediate drought
tolerance. In the UK the tree is planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. It is planted with
great success as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. [1]
In both the US and UK most of the specimens planted are from Austrian sources, the Pinus
nigra subsp. nigra and Pinus nigra subsp. nigra var. nigra seed selections. In the late 1950s and
early 1960s, when demand for natural trees was extremely high, its rapid growth, deep green color
and low cost made it briefly a popular Christmas tree, but the extreme length of the needles (making
it very difficult to decorate) soon led to its fall from favor, and it has long since been abandoned in
the US for that purpose.
P. nigra is planted for windbreaks and shelterbelts in the US, recommended for windbreaks in the
Northern Great Plains on medium to deep moist or upland soils.
Invasive species[edit]
Pinus nigra has become naturalised in a few areas of the United States. In New Zealand it is
considered an invasive species and noxious weed, along with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), due to their habitat conversion nature in tussock grassland plant
communities, shading out the native bunch grasses as their forest canopy develops.
