5 Reasons To Plant Pine Trees
Pine trees are probably in the top ten most well-known trees in the world. But why are they so well known, and what is so great about them?
Woodie is here to tell you that there are endless reasons to plant pine trees, but we won’t hold you here all day, so we’ll just go over a few! But before we do that, we want to fill you in on a brief history of how pine trees came to be and why they are such a long-lived staple in the world of horticulture.
History of Pine Trees
The use and importance of pine trees dates all the way back to the Paleolithic Era, AKA the ‘Caveman Era.’ History books report that when cavemen discovered fire, pine resin of pine cones were key to keeping the fires lit throughout the night. As the resin combined with moisture on the cones, fires would burn for hours longer providing the warmth and heat needed to survive.
Moving into the time period of Native Americans, pine trees found their importance in more symbolic and spiritual ways. Specifically, the tribes found pines to symbolize peace, and they would burn the bark to ward off evil spirits and protect from negative energies.
The American Indians additionally relied on pines for its many medicinal properties such as relief from common colds and chest congestion and to healing cuts and wounds.
Today, the world has found importance in pine trees commercially through their bark for use to build and make paper. The pine needles and the sap of these magnificent trees have been found to have antibiotic properties which has also led to their use in the medicinal world. Pines have five times the vitamin C as lemons so you can imagine the beneficial effects it can have on one's health!
As time has gone, there are now millions upon billions of pine trees planted all over the world, and people have found a multitude of benefits from the classic towering trees.
1. Local Ecosystems Benefits
The first important benefit of pine trees is their ability to support local ecosystems. In providing shelter and food for local wildlife, pine trees are extremely important to keeping the ecosystem balanced and in-check.
The dense foliage works to provide protection from sun, inclement weather and predators that pose a threat to local wildlife populations. Additionally, the seeds that pine trees produce are rich in nutrients and act as an important resource in many animals’ diets, especially birds and squirrels.
2. Erosion Control
Next on the list of the perks of pines, is their ability to alleviate the negative effects of soil erosion.
Soil erosion is a large issue that ultimately affects crop production because of the loss of fertile land. Beyond that, soil erosion is a large issue in regards to the wellbeing of the environment, for it leads to increased pollution, sedimentation in streams and rivers and the clogging of waterways.
Pine trees are one of the best aids against soil erosion, for pine trees roots work to hold the soil in place. Pine trees are a popular choice to combat erosion control because they are incredibly hardy and can survive and thrive in most any soil conditions.
3. Physical Benefits
In addition to their environmental perks, pine trees are the ideal tree option for a wide variety of landscape projects due to their physical advantages.
With the positives of a fast growth rate, and an average height between 50 and 80 feet tall, it’s no surprise that pine trees are great planting options for use as privacy trees, a windbreak, sound barrier, and shade coverage!
4. Hardiness
Hardy to USDA zones 3a to 9b, pine trees are incredibly resilient and tolerant of most any conditions. Their hardy nature makes them a popular choice for yards where many trees might struggle to survive.
While most all plants go through stress when being transplanted, pine trees are laid back in nature and make a smooth transition. Additionally, unlike many evergreen trees, the Pine is deer resistant and does not have many significant pest or disease problems.
5. Aesthetics
The last reason you may want to plant pine trees in your landscape is for the aesthetic appeal that they can bring to an outdoor venue.
The tree’s slender and feathery needles create a canopy of green that is encapsulating and makes any space feel protected and enticing. The beauty of these trees really speaks for itself, but beyond the physical beauty, people also love them for the comforting pine fragrance that they produce. The natural air freshener will have your yard constantly feeling fresh!
Shop Garden Goods Direct
Whether you've decided to plant pine trees for their practical use, or you just enjoy the look of them in a landscape, a pine tree will be a long lived addition to a yard that you won't regret.
There are so many types of pine trees, and here at Garden Goods Direct, we carry a wide variety of pine species available for your purchase! From the classic and popular White Pine Tree, to the more exotic a sought after Norfolk Island Pine, there is a tree for everyone.