Pines - Economic Importance

Pines are very important economically. The wood of many species is used as timber for construction and furniture. Pines are also used for the manufacture of turpentine, rosin, pulp, and paper.

One of the most economically important pines of the 1800s was the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). This pine once dominated forested regions in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, much of New England, and southeastern Canada. Most of these pines were several hundred years old and 197-230 ft (60-70 m) in height. During the 1800s, most of these pine forests were clear-cut and the lumber was used for construction in North America, or was shipped to Europe where lumber was in short supply. More recently, the eastern white pine and the red pine (Pinus resinosa) have been used for reforestation in parts of eastern North America.

In modern times, several other species of pine are economically important. The ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) of the western United States is currently the most economically important pine of North America. The southeastern United States also has economically important pines such as loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), short leaf pine (P. echinata), slash pine (P. elliottii), and longleaf pine (P. palustris). Many of these southeastern pines are cultivated in plantations. Outside of North America, Pinus pinaster of the Mediterranean region and Pinus longifolia from India are major commercial species.