VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Pinus nigra | European Black Pine 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The wood of European black pine is similar to that of Scotch pine and
red pine (Pinus resinosa), which is moderately hard and
straight-grained. European black pine wood, however, is rougher, softer,
and not as strong [21].

In the Mediterranean region European black pine wood is used for general
construction, fuel, and in other purposes [21].

In the United States European black pine is of little importance as a
timber species.  It is planted mainly for shelterbelts [21].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
In Wyoming mule deer that were forced onto a conifer tree nursery by
bad weather browsed European black pine in preference to ponderosa pine
(Pinus ponderosa), blue spruce (Picea pungens), bristlecone pine (Pinus
aristata), and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum).  Damage
was concentrated on the lateral branch buds and needles [9].  


PALATABILITY : 
White-tailed deer showed intermediate preference for European black pine
as compared to other ornamental species (including yews [Taxus spp.],
other conifers, and various hardwoods) [2].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
European black pine is recommended for planting on strip-mined lands in
Pennsylvania [10].  It has probably not been widely used for
surface-mine plantings.  European black pine is similar to red pine in
climatic adaptation and growth performance on acid minesoils.  It is
recommended for use in Ohio on fine-clay, poorly drained minesoils with
a pH of 5 to 7, although suitable native pines are preferred [22].  In
Idaho it was reported as having good potential for revegetating sites
denuded by heavy metal pollution from smelter emissions [1].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
In the United States European black pine is mainly planted for
shelterbelts, as a street tree, and as an ornamental [21,22].  It is
recommended for windbreaks in the Northern Great Plains on medium to
deep moist or upland soils [16].  Its value as a street tree is largely
due to its resistance to salt spray (used in road de-icing) and various
industrial pollutants, and its intermediate drought tolerance [21].  It
is resistant to snow and ice damage.  In Missouri European black pines
were undamaged by a sleet storm that caused widespread and extensive
damage to many other street trees [4].

One- to three-year-old European black pine seedlings were found to have
no symptoms of ozone damage after exposure to 0.020 ppm of ozone for
5-hour periods (treatment repeated over one growing season) [5].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Most of the European black pine planted in the United States is from
Austrian sources [21].

European black pine seedlings up to about 2 months of age are subject to
predation by voles and rabbits; older seedlings apparently become
unpalatable [21].

Insects and diseases:  European black pine seedlings are damaged by
damping off fungi and seedling root rots.  Mature trees are easily
infected by Dithostroma needle blight, the most damaging foliage disease
of European black pine.  Other diseases include Lophodermium needle
cast, which is damaging to European black pine in the Great Lakes States
[21].  European black pine is also moderately to highly susceptible to
infection by brown spot needle disease [18].  The dagger nematode
damages seedlings.  Insect damage to European black pine is generally of
less importance than damage by fungal pathogens [21].

Related categories for Species: Pinus nigra | European Black Pine