The black pine was first introduced to Europe in 1705 and owes its name to its dark green, almost black needles.

The wood of the black pine has a broad, yellowish or reddish-white sapwood and a reddish-brown core. The annual rings are distinct due to the clear boundary between early and late wood.

The black pine is robust, strong, hardy and can reach a height of around 35 metres, a diameter at breast height of 185 centimetres and an age of up to 800 years. It provides extremely valuable timber.

It provides the largest proportion of all European conifers.