Family: Pinaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Pinus nigra, commonly known as Austrian pine or black pine, is a large evergreen conifer native to parts of southern and eastern Europe, ranging from the Mediterranean region and eastern Austria to the northern Caucasus. This hardy pine is valued for its dark green needles, dense pyramidal form when young, and rugged adaptability to a variety of climates and soils. Austrian pine has been widely planted as an ornamental and shade tree, as well as for windbreaks, erosion control, and timber production. Its tolerance of cold temperatures, drought, and urban pollution has made it a popular landscape and forestry species in many temperate regions around the world.

Risks & Threats
Although Austrian pine is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that raise concern for tropical island ecosystems. Pines can produce abundant wind-dispersed seeds, establish dense stands, and alter soil chemistry through acidic needle litter, potentially suppressing native vegetation and changing ecosystem processes. In other parts of the world, introduced pines have escaped cultivation and invaded grasslands, shrublands, and montane habitats, where they compete with native plants and increase fire risk by adding heavy fuel loads. Because Hawaii’s native ecosystems are especially vulnerable to invasive species, caution is warranted when considering the use of Austrian pine in landscaping or forestry projects. Choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended whenever suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Widely naturalized
  
• Temperate tree with a broad elevation range
  
• Environmental weed in the USA, Australia and New Zealand
  
• Flammable and increases fire risks
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Can form dense thickets
  
• Hybridizes with other Pinus species
  
• Periodically produces large seed crops
  
• Seeds may persist in the soil
  
• P. nigra is among the least susceptible to herbicides
  
• Tolerates low intensity fires

Low Risk Traits:

• Temperate tree could probably only be grown at higher elevations of tropical countries
  
• Palatable to grazing animals (could prevent spread)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not self-fertile
  
• Long time to reproductive maturity (15+ years)
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value (Christmas tree)