All pines are technically softwood trees, but for commercial purposes members of the genus are regularly divided into hard pines and soft pines. The wood of hard pines is typically tougher, more coarse-grained, and darker in color than that of soft pines. Both kinds of pine are very valuable natural resources, with various species being utilized heavily in the paper manufacturing and construction industries. The trees, which are commonly grown in even-stand plantations, also serve as sources of fuel, food products, rosin, and turpentine. Some pines make good ornamentals, and a few species generate high prices in the winter months when sold as Christmas trees. View a smaller version of this digital image. |