Pine trees are very common in certain parts of North America. You might have grown up having many pine trees in your yard or you might have simply admired the pine trees in the area.
They are certainly beautiful trees that can add a lot of aesthetic appeal to any area. If you’re thinking about planting pine trees on your property, then you should know that it’s a great idea to do so.
Aside from the fact that pine trees look really nice, you’re also going to have many benefits that you can enjoy if you choose to plant pine trees in your yard. They’re beneficial in ways that the average person might not expect.
Read on to learn about the important pine tree benefits that you should know about. It might help you to appreciate pine trees more than ever.
1 – Providing Shelter for Local Wildlife
Local wildlife has come to rely on pine trees for shelter. Many types of animals will use pine trees as a place where they can live and be safe.
Pine trees have many branches and the dense foliage is going to make them perfect for birds that want to hide. Small animals will also live in pine trees so that they can stay safe from predators.
You’ll even find that animals will use pine trees to take cover when the sun is beaming down harshly. The branches can give animals shady spots where they can enjoy a reprieve during the hottest days of the year.
If you want to benefit the local wildlife, then planting pine trees in your yard will be a very good decision. It helps birds and small animals the most, but it’s just overall beneficial to the ecosystem.
2 – Pine Trees Provide Animals with Food
You likely understand that pine trees can also provide animals with food. Many animals will feed on the seeds that are produced by pine trees so that they can survive.
It just so happens that pine seeds contain many nutrients that animals need to thrive. It will take a while for the tree to start producing pine cones, but they’ll benefit the wildlife in the area a lot once they do start growing.
On average, a pine tree will take somewhere between 10 and 20 years to start producing pine cones. The seeds from the pine cones will eventually attract squirrels and many different types of birds to the area.
Anyone who wants their property to be full of life will love planting pine trees. It helps birds and small animals out immensely in so many different ways.
3 – Pine Trees Smell Great
There’s a reason why those car air fresheners that people have are shaped like pine trees. It just so happens that pine trees smell great and this is going to be something that can help you to enjoy your property that much more.
Every time you step outside you’ll be able to enjoy the scent of fresh pine. It’s something that many people have fallen in love with over the years and you’re likely going to as well.
Aside from smelling really nice, pine trees might also help to limit climate change in certain ways. The aromatic compounds that are released by the pine trees will transform into droplets that have a cooling impact on the area.
It’s a good way to keep your yard a bit cooler and it will help the planet out in certain ways. If you needed another reason to plant pine trees on your property, then this one is as good as any.
4 – They Help with Soil Erosion Control
Soil erosion can be a real big problem in many areas. Some parts of the world have issues with soil erosion that are so bad that landslides can occur.
When you live in an area that has severe soil erosion issues, it’s going to be a good idea to plant pine trees. These trees are very tough and they can tolerate the conditions in many different areas.
Different soil conditions usually don’t bother the hardy pine trees either. The roots of the pine tree can help to hold the soil in place, and this makes them invaluable in certain places.
One of the most popular types of pine trees for severely eroded areas is the Virginia pine. It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 5A through 8B and it really does make a difference.
5 – Pine Trees Have Medicinal Uses
Finally, you should know that pine trees actually have medicinal uses. For example, the white pine produces pinosylvin, which has powerful antibiotic properties that are useful.
In the past, Native Americans would use pine resin in medicines to treat various ailments. Pine trees have a long history of helping people with medicinal issues that continues to this day.
You likely aren’t going to be using your pine trees to create medicines or other things like that, but it’s still a neat fact to know. Humans have been taking advantage of pine trees and everything that they offer for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Knowing about the various benefits of pine trees should help you to come to a decision. If you were on the fence about planting pine trees on your property, then you might be keener to do so now.
Pine trees are truly wonderful and they have the potential to add a lot to your property. They’re amazing trees that look gorgeous while also providing the local ecosystem with various benefits.
If you’re someone who cares about local birds and small animals, then it makes sense to want your property to have many pine trees. Planting pine trees now is a decision that can have a positive impact on the planet for decades to come.
You’ll also simply get a lot of enjoyment out of the pine trees due to how nice they smell and their overall aesthetic appeal. Enjoy your pine trees and don’t hesitate to plant more of them if your property has enough space to accommodate them.
Hopefully, you have a much greater appreciation for pine trees now. Let people know what you’ve learned about these hardy plants so that more people know how beneficial they are.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.
Monica
Friday 10th of November 2023
Thank you, Lisa! Love these tips, and so agree! My yard is surrounded by amazing pine trees that smell so good, and really benefit our birds, squirrels, toads and frogs that I feed here, too! I daily place kilos of uncooked brown rice, bananas, and papayas that I'm growing, too!
Lisa Bridenstine
Sunday 12th of November 2023
I love that!
Happy Planting! Lisa