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The Pine, or as it is botanically known Pinus, is a large group of evergreen trees and a few shrubs which for the most part prefer full sun, well draining soils, don’t like to be fertilized, produce seed cones, grow bundles of soft needles in quantities of two, three or five and are virtually carefree once established. When young the Pine is apt to appear pyramidal in shape although they lose this look as they age becoming round canopied and more open. Most are considerably drought tolerant. Where water is too abundant their needles may turn yellow and drop or the entire tree may die suddenly.
When considering a Pine for the home landscape there is a great variety from which to choose, some more suitable to your particular climate than others. But whichever you pick you’ll find a pine tree will ensure wildlife come to your yard. Not only do birds and rabbits among other animals love to munch on the fallen seeds but Pines provide excellent cover and nesting areas for songbirds. With this in mind let us take a gander at several of the most readily available Pines for the home gardener.
Scots, Scotch Pine (P. sylvestris)
A lovely deep green tree growing upwards of 60 feet high with a 40 foot spread, the Scots or Scotch Pine makes a great specimen in the front or back yard and doubles as an outdoor Christmas tree come the holiday season. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7 and adaptable to many soil types a row of Scots Pine trees make an excellent windbreak .
Austrian Pine (P. nigra)
Hardy in USDA zones 4-7, the Austrian Pine is very tolerant of seaside conditions, pollution and both alkaline and clay soils. The growth rate is moderate and it eventually can reach heights of 60 feet high with a spread of 20-40 feet. The densely growing needles are a dark green. The Austrian Pine is a favorite with farmers for the planting of windbreaks.
Loblolly Pine (P. taeda)
The Pine for the southern landscape, fast growing Loblolly Pines are huge, up to 100 feet tall and 25-35 feet wide making them perfect for windbreaks and to provide much needed shade during the hottest of months in the hottest of climates. They are fast growing and have a nice open air. The needles are extremely aromatic too, filling the air around for miles with a wonderful pine scent all its own. Though Loblollies prefer a moist soil like that along rivers and lakes they do tolerate drought well.
Mugo (P. mugo)
One of the only pines you’ll find with a shrub form, the Mugo Pine (sometimes spelled Mugho) is very popular for the home garden as it grows very slowly only to 20 feet high with equal spread and is rather easy to maintain trimmed much smaller if desired. The soft needles are densely packed, grow in groups of two and are a rich dark green. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, Mugo pines can be used for informal type hedges or foundation planting.
Lodgepole Pine (P.contorta)
Lodgepole Pine gets its name from the slender trunk which resembles a pole. It has flaking bark in brown, orange, gray and more often black, giving it its other name, Black Pine and its needles can be yellowish green to bright green. This is a rather ornamental tree growing slowly 70-80 feet tall and 20 feet wide in USDA zones 4-8. Lodgepole Pine can tolerate many soil types and though it prefers full sun it does fine in part shade too.
Ponderosa, Pacific Pine (P. ponderosa)
Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, the Ponderosa Pine has moderate to rapid growth and gets 60-100 feet tall with a 25-30 foot spread. What makes this a very popular ornamental for the home landscape is its needles which can be a very attractive yellowish green, olive-green or grey green. It also has textured bark in a lovely cinnamon color, large ornamental cones and a very pleasant scent. Ponderosa pines can resist fire and wind damage and are very long lived making it a great tree for areas tortured by Santa Anna winds and prone to forest fires.
White Pine (P. strobus)
The White Pine, one of the most adaptable of Pines, is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, fast growing and able to tolerate a wide range of conditions from wet to dry, clay to sandy soil and blistering cold to pretty darn warm. It can grow 50-80 feet tall with a spread of 20-40 feet and has soft needles of a blue-green tint. While the White Pine prefers moist soil and full sun it will take some drought and part shade. Because of its rapid growth it is often used as Christmas trees, for re-forestation and when a quick screen or windbreak is required.
Japanese Black Pine (P.thunbergii)
The Japanese Black Pine is very tolerant of pollution and salt and is one of the most unusual pines in regards to shape. The trunk often curves and leans to one side and the branching is rather irregular making it very desirable for Bonsai cultivation. An absolute must in a formal Japanese garden this pine would also look great in any home setting where an ornamental evergreen is desired. Hardy in USDA zone 3-10 the Japanese Black Pine grows rapidly in moist regions and can achieve heights of 20-100 feet entirely depending on conditions and the amount of pruning done. Restricting water will slow growth.
These are only some of the most attractive, popular and widely available Pines for the home landscape but if a long-lived pine tree is what you wish for your yard one of these would certainly do. Find one or two that suit your particular climate and yard and you’ll have a specimen tree that even your great-grandchildren may get to enjoy.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 Short Stories @ Helium: http://www.helium.com/users/32782/show_articles
How to create your own backyard bird sanctuary: http://www.helium.com/zone/2884-how-to-create-your-own-backyard-bird-sanctuary
Tree Zone: http://www.helium.com/zone/2774-
Shrub Zone: http://www.helium.com/zone/2881-
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