BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Pinus nigra | European Black Pine 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
European black pine is an introduced, medium-sized, two-needle pine [7].
Mature height (approximately 80 years of age [21]) ranges from 66 to 165
feet (20-50 m) [11].  Some characters vary depending on the subspecific
taxon; the type variety has dark brown to black bark that is widely
split by flaking fissures into scaly plates [14].  The bark becomes
increasingly creviced with age [17].  European black pine is
fast growing and usually has a pyramidal form.  It has deep lateral
roots.  European black pine is long lived; harvest rotation times of up
to 360 years have been used in Europe [21].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
European black pine attains sexual maturity at ages ranging from 15 to
40 years.  Trees from Corsican sources in England produce their first
heavy seed crops at 25 to 30 years of age, with maximum production at 60
to 90 years of age.  Large seed crops are produced at 2- to 5-year
intervals [21].  The winged seeds are wind dispersed [11].  Fresh seed
does not require stratification for good germination, but stored seeds
can be cold stratified for up to 60 days to hasten germination [11].

European black pine can be propagated by grafting [21].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
European black pine is mainly suited to northern temperate climate zones
in the United States; it does not grow well in the southern states [21].
Different provenances (seed sources by geographic area) or varieties are
adapted to different soil types:  Austrian and Pyrenees pines grow well
on a wide range of soil types, Corsican pine grows poorly on
limestone-derived soils, and Crimean pine grows well on poorer,
limestone-derived soils.  Most provenances will also show good growth on
podzolic soils.  Whatever the soil type, however, the soils need to be
deep for good growth [11,21].  European black pine grows well on high pH
soils in New England.  Some provenances exhibit better winter hardiness
than others [21].

In Europe, European black pine is found at elevations ranging from 820
to 5,910 feet (250-1,800 m) [21].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

European black pine is intolerant of shade and needs to be planted in
full sun [21,22].  In England direct sowing of European black pine seeds
is successful on north-facing slopes on young sand dunes [21].  European
black pine (Corsican pine) plantations in England develop a more closed
canopy than similar-aged plantations of Scotch pine [17].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
In Ontario European black pine pollen is released from May to June.
Individual ovulate cones are only receptive to pollen for approximately
3 days, but collectively are receptive from May to June.  Fertilization
takes place 13 months after pollination.  Cones mature from September to
November and seeds are dispersed from October to November [21].

Related categories for Species: Pinus nigra | European Black Pine