Pines Trees

Pines Trees

Are Pines Trees Pyromaniacs?

I do not think that pines trees are pyromaniacs. Because the pines are species of trees in the genus Pinus,of the family Pinaceae and phylum Coniferophyta, the cone-bearing plants (conifers). Relatives of the pines include other conifers such as fir, Douglas fir, spruce, hemlock, cypress, and redwood. Pines and these other conifers are all considered gymnosperms, because they bear their seeds naked (David, pp. 67-78), rather than within an ovary as in the angiosperms (flowering plants). There are about 100 different species of pines in the world.

What Is It With The Long Leaf Pine, Sand Pine(s)?

The leaves of all pines are needle like and arise from the stem in bundles, called fascicles. Each fascicle is often associated with a fascicle sheath, a special tissue at its base. Most species have two to five needles per fascicle, but some species have as few as one and others have as many as eight needles per fascicle (David, pp. 67-78). The needles of pines are arranged in a spiral about the stem. Each year, as the branch of a pine tree grows, it produces a whorl of new leaves, called a candle. The needles of pines last about two years and most species are evergreen, meaning they have some needles at all times. Since pines have needles throughout the year, they have the potential to photosynthesize whenever conditions are suitable (Brockman, pp. 78-81).

There are two subgenera of pines, and botanists believe these are evolutionarily distinct groups. These subgenera are Diploxylon, commonly called the hard pines, and Haploxylon, commonly called the soft pines. As suggested by their names, the wood of soft pines tends to be soft, and the wood of hard pines tends to be hard.

The needles of hard pines have the following characteristics: (a) they usually arise in fascicles (bundles) of two or three; (b) they have a semicircular shape in cross-section; and (c) they have two main veins, as revealed by a cross-section. In addition, the fascicle sheaths of hard pines remain attached as the needles mature.

The needles of soft pines have the following characteristics: (a) they usually arise in fascicles (bundles) of five; (b) they have a triangular shape in cross-section; and (c) they have only one main vein, as revealed by a cross-section. In addition, the fascicle sheaths of soft pines wither away as the needles mature (Farrar, pp. 56-59).

Pines are very ...