What is a pine?

The scientific definition of a pine tree is that it is a member of the coniferous genus "Pinus", of the plant family "Pinaceae".

In all pines, the seed cones droop below the branch and male and female cones are found on a single tree. The trees are usually evergreen and the leaves are usually needle-shaped or linear (straight) [2].

There are about 110 to 120 species in the pine genus [2].

None of these are native to the southern hemisphere.

Queensland pines:

In Queensland (Australia), since the 1930's Queensland Forestry (DPI) has established large plantations of pines that are native to Florida (U.S.A.), the Bahamas and Central America - countries that have climates reasonably similar to that which is found in Queensland [4].

The Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis) is the most common species in Queensland [4]. The Caribbean pine is particularly suited to north Queensland coastal areas - growing well in tropical areas with sandy soils. Pinus caribea grows to about 30 metres in height, with a spread of 4 metres. However, the amount of wood returned per tree is higher than for Slash pine.

The other species grown in South East Queensland coastal plantations are:

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) [4].

Pinus elliotti grows to about 15 to 30 metres, with a spread of 4 metres. Pinus taeda reaches a height of 18 to 30 metres and 3 metre spread.

Through advances in selection and management techniques, a softwood plantation can mature in around 30 years to a stage that makes it suitable for sawn timber [5]. The Queensland Forestry Research Institute is developing genetic material and tree establishment and management systems capable of producing very high quality timber in rotations of only 20 years. The F1 hybrid - developed from Caribbean and Slash pine, and which grows quickly, is wind resistant and can tolerate poor soil - is now the most commonly planted pine in southern Queensland. The maturation period - or time taken for a tree to grow to a size which is suitable for sawn timber - is one of the reasons for the popularity of softwood over hardwood species. Hardwoods generally have a longer maturation period, decreasing the economic return.

What is the size of Australia's forests?

Australia has just over 1 million hectares of plantations, of which about 16% is in Queensland. (Approximate figures for 2000). Currently this is comprised almost solely of softwood plantations (almost 0.9 million hectares. At least 90 per cent of Australian softwood plantations contain exotic conifers, mostly Pinus radiata (radiata or Monterey pine). Radiata is native to California. There are some Radiata pine plantations in south east Queensland - usually inland [3].

Pinus radiata grows to 15 to 30 metres with a 4 metre spread.

The only native conifer used in plantations on a significant scale is Hoop pine [3]. (For details about Hoop pine, follow this link).

For a map showing the locations of Australia's forests, by type, follow this link [3].
(Note: 63 kbyte file, Copyright NFI: URL http://www.brs.gov.au/nfi/forestinfo/forestypes.html)

Where are Queensland's plantation forests located?

Small State plantation programs in Queensland are located at Bundaberg, Monto, Yeppoon, Mackay-Proserpine, Warwick, Stanthorpe, the Kennedy-Cardwell-Ingham region and Atherton. However, most of Queensland’s harvestable forest resources are located in the south-east corner of the State. The major softwood plantations in south-east Queensland are at Toolara near Gympie, Taun and Wongi near Maryborough, Beerburrum-Beerwah, and the Yarraman, Murgon and Imbil areas [5].

Uses of Queensland plantation pine

Structural building materials are the most common products derived from the Queensland exotic softwood plantations. In total, about 85 per cent of Queensland produced and consumed sawn timber (1994/95 year) is used by the Queensland dwelling construction industry [5].

Invasive plants

Some introduced plants (known as exotics) are regarded as invasive plant species. For information about invasive plants and pine, follow this link.

More Online Information

To read about the history of pine plantations in Australia, follow this link [1].

For more detailed timber properties follow these three links, below [6]. The information and photos of the sawn timber are copyright Timber Research Unit, School of Architecture, University of Tasmania.

Caribbean pine: follow this link; Slash pine: follow this link; Radiata pine: follow this link

To help you identify the pine trees in your area:

A description and photos of Slash pine (bark, leaves, cones) follow this link [7].

A description and photos of Loblolly pine (bark, leaves, cones) follow this link [7].

A description and photos of Radiata pine (bark, leaves, cones) follow this link [7].

Next >> Australian Native Conifers??

Glossary

Coniferous: the seeds develop within a woody cone.

Exotic plants: not native to the country in which they are planted.

Native: found naturally occurring

Naturalise: To adapt or acclimatise (a plant or an animal) to a new environment; introduce and establish as if native.

Citations

[1] Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1988). Technology in Australia 1788-1988 ["Exotic Pines"] [WWW document]. URL www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/210.html

[2] C. J. Earle (Editor) (1999, March). Gymnosperm Database: Taxon Descriptions ["Pinaceae"] [WWW online database] URL www.conifers.org/

[3] NFI (National Forest Inventory) (1998). National Forest Inventory Australia: Plantation Estates [WWW Document] URL http://www.brs.gov.au/nfi/forestinfo/plantation.html

[4] Queensland (Australia) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (1996, December). Tree Facts: Exotic pines for wood production [Portable document format]. URL http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/fact_sheets/pdf_files/T31.pdf

[5] Queensland (Australia) Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (1999, November). Plantation Forests [Portable document format]. URL http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/fact_sheets/pdf_files/F09.pdf

[6] School of Architecture, University of Tasmania (Australia) (2000). Species Detail [WWW Online database] URL http://oak.arch.utas.edu.au/tech/species.html

[7] Virginia Tech (2001). Dendrology homepage: tree identification fact sheets for 450 species [WWW Document] URL http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/biglist_frame.htm

Copyright D. L. Christiansen [Last updated March 2001] Images: respective copyright owners noted/cited.

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