Appearance and shape
Pine needles reach a length of 2.5 to 50 cm. In contrast to other conifers, they have a comparatively long shape, but are relatively narrow at 0.5 to 2.5 cm. On closer inspection, you can see the fine sawing on the edge of the sheet.
However, this information is still relatively vague and does not serve to reliably identify the conifer. To give you an even more precise definition, different types and their appearance are listed here:
- Banks pine: whisked, two-needle, up to 4 cm long, rounded tip, green to yellowish
- Flexible pine: up to 8 cm long, slightly canted, blue-green
- Yellow pine: very soft needles, 2-5 pieces with a length up to 20 cm at a base
- Awns pine: dark green to blue-green needles, five pieces on a base, 4 cm long, often covered with a resin film
- Jeffrey's jaw: three pieces on a base, triangular and twisted, up to 20 cm long, blue-green
- Jersey pine: two pieces on a base, twisted, 8 cm long, striking sheen
also read
- Why does the pine get brown needles?
- Yellow needles and the jaw dropping them - that's behind it
- Overview of different types of pine tree
Leaf shedding
The needle base mentioned above forms the link between the branch and the needles. A needle sheath surrounds the attachment for protection. Pine needles sometimes stay on the tree for a full 30 years. Either they fall down individually or together with the base.
Significance for medicine
You are sure to know the incomparable scent of pine needles. After a rainy day in the forest, it has a relaxing effect on many people. Medzin also makes use of the essential oils responsible for this. Healing infusions in saunas or baths alleviate
- Inflammation
- bronchitis
- rheumatism
- and muscle pain
Even our ancestors used the pine needles as a blood purifier.
What to do if there is discoloration
If I color the needles of your pine brown or if they fall off more strongly, you should watch the development. Although the pine is an evergreen conifer, leaves change every two to ten years. If your jaw does not recover from this condition, it may be
- a care mistake
- a pest
- or the widespread pine death
