Pines are conifer trees or shrubs in the genus Pinus, part of the family Pinaceae. World Flora Online recognizes 187 species of pines, making it the largest conifer family, while the American Conifer Society (ACS) and the Royal Horticultural Society accept 121 species. The highest diversity of pines is found in Mexico.
Pines are common in the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in boreal forests and various habitats like the Mediterranean Basin. Their wood is widely used for timber, and there are 818 recognized cultivars. Pine trees are evergreen and grow between 3 and 80 meters tall, with most species reaching 15 to 45 meters. The smallest are the Siberian dwarf pine and Potosi pinyon, while the tallest is a sugar pine in Yosemite National Park, measuring 83.45 meters.
