What Is the Lifespan of Pine Trees?
When Christmas rolls around, the pine tree take center stage as enthusiastic gift-givers drown the rough branches with glittery holiday ornaments. These holiday center pieces are evergreen, coniferous trees with species growing all over the world. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Species
-
The earth contains several species of pine trees including Scotch pine, longleaf pine, Australian pine, eastern white pine, pitch pine, table mountain pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine, pond pine, dwarf pine, ponderosa pine, and red pine.
Seed
-
All good things start with a seed and pine trees are not an exception. The pinecone, the cone-shape seed holder of all pine trees, flourishes on the tree for two years, before dropping. As it dries, the pinecone opens and releases the seed. If the seed isn't eaten by forest animals, the wind carries the seed away.
-
Reproduction
-
The seed germinates and grows into a big strong pine tree. After it matures, the tree flowers each spring, pollinating the seeds. In the fall, mature pine cones fall to the ground and begin the cycle again.
Diseases
-
Pine trees catch Dothistroma needle blight, which causes premature loss of needles. A disease called Diplodia tip blight rots through the stem of seedlings. Diplodia pinea, a fungus, attacks pine cones.
Age
-
Age depends on the species. Virginia pine trees live about 95 years with some reaching as old as 150 years. Several stands of bristlecone pine trees, located in the Rocky Mountains, were determined to be over 3,000 years old.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pine tree image by pershing from Fotolia.com
