About this tree
Pinus nigra, or black pine, is native to Mediterranean coastal and mountain regions, and particularly common in southern Europe, Turkey, and parts of northern Africa. This large evergreen conifer can grow up to 25 m tall and has a tall, straight trunk with dark, thick bark. Its long, dark green needles are grouped in pairs, and the tree produces large, cylindrical cones that mature to a reddish-brown colour. It is highly valued for its durable, resinous wood, which is used in construction, furniture making, and shipbuilding. The black pine is also an important source of habitat for wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and insects, which rely on its needles, cones, and branches for food and shelter. This species has some resistance to fire, with its thick bark providing protection from the heat. It is therefore crucial in forest recovery after wildfires, and this fact, combined with its pollution resistance, adaptability to a range of environmental conditions, and general resistance to disease (except for the fungus Dothistroma septosporum), has made it a common choice for reforestation and erosion control in dry, rocky areas.