Tree identification please?

[annies1]

Hi can anyone identify this tree at the bottom of my garden - only moved in last year and still getting to grips with everything in it (first garden so don't know the name of anything! )

[davidbr]

I'm sure you already know it's a species of Pine, and they're a tricky group to seperate. To identify them, what you really need to know is how the needles are bunched together; in twos, threes or fives. I can't see that kind of detail from the photos here, so I wouldn't like to suggest a positive ID.

[Besnard Lake]

Hello all,

Could it not be a spruce?

Bes

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Besnard Lake

Hello all,

Could it not be a spruce?

Bes

No, it's definitely a pine. Pines have needles arranged in bunches, as in this one; spruces, like firs, have theirs in rows. Usually with two silver bands underneath.

There are a couple of common-ish Pinus species; Scots Pine (P. sylvestris) is the most frequent one, followed by Black/Corsican Pine (there are a couple of sub-species) (Pinus nigra), which is widely naturalised by seeding in my part of the country. Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) is meant to be one of the most planted trees in forestry these days, and I've seen self-seeded trees on Exmoor and the Quantocks.

Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) is more of an ornamental, especially in coastal areas, but it's also pretty common and I've also frequently seen it self-sown. But there are a whole host of species planted in parks and gardens which don't naturalise (or might perhaps be found as a garden relic), that's why the needle bunching is so important. For example, one with needles in fives is most likely to be Weymouth Pine (P. strobus), a once common forestry tree that's becoming increasingly rare these days. Scots Pine has its needles in twos, as does Black Pine.

[annies1]

Hi there,

Well I've been down the garden and had a good look at the tree and the needles are in bunches of two...........I assume this will mean something to you clever people? Does it mean that it's a Scots Pine?

[animartco]

Annies 1 It is a dwarf which means it doesn't look much like the full sized version, and yes, it is most likely a Scots Pine, now we know the needles. Pinus sylvestris nana.

[annies1]

Thanks for that - I can now sound all knowledgeable and tell people its a Scots Pine, the only thing I would question is (probably not obvious in photo) but its about 15 - 18 feet tall, would is still be a dwarf?

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by annies1

Thanks for that - I can now sound all knowledgeable and tell people its a Scots Pine, the only thing I would question is (probably not obvious in photo) but its about 15 - 18 feet tall, would is still be a dwarf?

No, in my opinion it's actually Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), which isn't that often planted as an ornamental (they tend to use it as a forestry tree in plantations). There are, though, also a few similar species which (according to my Tree Guide to Britain and Europe book ) are rare in this country outside collections. I only focus on plants I find in a wild situation and, since these rarities are unlikely to occur outside of arboretums or gardens, I've never bothered to learn how to recognise them.

If you could maybe post a close-up shot of the needles, plus one of the underside of them, using the book I should be able to absolutely positively identify it

[animartco]

Oh sorry, annies1. It didn't look eighteen feet tall in the picture, but the very short needles and decorative appearance made me suspect a dwarf cultivar, and I went for what I thought would be the most likely to be found in a garden centre. Of course there are many two needled pines worldwide. I hope David comes up with a possitive ID for you.

[Dorts]

Bit late catcing up with this one, but I'd have to go for
Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta. A lovely Pine but can reach near 200ft!