Pine trees are an incredible evolutionary feat, adapting to an ever-changing environment and thriving millions of years ago. They can grow in any soil and anywhere in the world, and fully grown trees need only sun and very little water to survive. Of the seven continents, pine trees are found to be growing on six of them. One of the oldest surviving trees on earth is the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine that is over 4,840 years old.
Pine trees are coniferous trees of the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae, with over 125 species. Pine trees (Pinus spp.) are the most common coniferous trees worldwide. Not only are Pine trees beautiful and abundant, they are helpful to us in many ways. White Pines are rich in Vitamin A and C. Flour can be made from the Pine tree's inner bark. Pine seeds are edible and are often used to top salads. Did you know you can eliminate bad breath by peeling off the bark of thin Pine twigs and chewing on the inner pitch like gum? You can reduce the pain of skin infections by applying warm Pine sap to them. Check out Portrait of a Pine Tree to find out more interesting tree facts.
