Description :

 

Pine is an evergreen, coniferous tree. Its bark is thick and grooved, its leaves are needle-like and grow along spines, remaining on the pine from 2 to 17 years. It is a long-lived tree, with its species reaching an age of 100 to 1,000 years or more. It can reach a height of 80 meters, but the majority of its species are between 15 and 45 meters. Pine trees love light and are drought tolerant.

Pine flowers are known as pine cones and they have a major role in the reproduction process of the tree. In the spring the pollen sacs open and the pollen is dispersed by the wind. The scales on female pine cones open, receive the pollen and close. Fertilization takes place the following spring.

Pines are precursor species in forest ecosystems and settle in extreme environments, forming phytocommunities, that shape the environment for a next generation of plants.

 

Usage & History:

 

The pine tree is undoubtedly the most valuable apiary plant in our country. Pine honey is the basis of honey production in Greece, accounting for approximately 60% of the total production and it is an excellent quality honey.

In ancient Greek mythology, the origin of the pine tree is attributed to the transformation of the nymph Pitys. She had found herself trapped between two gods who fell in love with her, Boreas and Pan. The nymph's preference for Pan, provoked the jealousy of Boreas who threw her off a cliff. Earth took pity on her and transformed her body into a pine tree. Like a tree she now adorns the forehead of her god with wreaths of her branches, while the caress of her branches by the blowing of Borea (northern wind) causes the sound of her mourning.