Species:

(Pinus nigra Arn.)
-> Genus: Pinus (Pinus) -> Family: Pinaceae (Pinaceae) -> Group: Gymnosperms

Habitus

  • tree growing to a height of 30 - 40 (50) m
  • crown massive, of variable shape (broadly conical to umbrella-shaped) branches relatively thick, firm bark is gray to black, deeply cracked (protrudes high up the trunk)

Leaves (assimilation organs)

  • needle-like, 8-16 cm long, firm, pointed, slightly serrate along the edge, semicircular in cross-section
  • grow two at a time on brachyblasts, needle sheaths are 10 - 12 mm long, membranous, persistent
  • needles last 3 - 5 years

Flowers

  • wood is monoecious, flowers are unisexual, blooms V – VI
  • morphologically and in arrangement similar to a forest pine

Fruits – seeds

  • the fruit is a cone 4 - 10 x 2.5 - 4 cm large, ovoid to oblong-ovoid, light brown, almost sessile, non-disintegrating
  • the label is diamond-shaped, radially grooved, yellow-brown, shiny with a transverse raised edge
  • seed scales are woody, dark brown to black on the underside
  • the navel is dark brown with a falling thorn
  • it ripens in the fall of 2 years and falls off in 3 years
  • the seed is 5 - 7 x 3 - 4 mm in size  oblong-ovoid, variable in color, yellow-gray to brown, possibly marble-like
  • the membranous wing is 2-2.5 cm long, light brown, darker striped

Extension

  • original distribution - Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor to the Caucasus in mountainous areas from 600-2,000 m above sea level. m.
  • its occurrence is island-like (isolated)
  • it is not native to Slovakia

Ecology

  • it is a light-loving tree with low requirements for nutrient content and soil moisture
  • heat-demanding, grows well hl. on limestones, in our country it is resistant to frost
  • in the places of its original occurrence - it creates homogeneous and mixed stands with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Halep pine (Pinus halepensis), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), white fir (Abies alba), Greek fir (Abies cephalonica), cerium oak (Quercus cerris), felt oak (Quercus pubescens), holly oak (Quercus ilex), ...

Significance

  • in areas with original distribution, it is among the important  wood
  • in Slovakia, it was used for the reforestation of devastated areas on limestone in karst areas (e.g. after grazing)
  • decorative in habit, creates several forms (columnar, reclining, ...)
  • is resistant to exhalation, suitable for urban environment

From history