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Are all needle trees on the island pines?
What we commonly call "pine," referring to a tree with needles and cones, can belong to different genera. It may indeed be a pine, but it could also be a cedar or fir.

Pines, cedars, and firs are different genera within the same family—the Pinaceae family. This family includes evergreen, needle-bearing trees with 11 distinct genera.

The Pinaceae trees planted in southern Istria in the early 20th century have now grown into century-old specimens. These trees often lean, especially the older, taller ones, due to their shallow roots. Heavy winds following rain-soaked soil can cause them to topple.

On roads, these trees can also lift asphalt with their roots, while their needles acidify the soil, often preventing other plants from growing beneath them.

Veliki Brijun Island is rich in Pinaceae trees, which form many of its iconic landscapes. These trees differ in bark, cones, and needle arrangements, but how can they be easily distinguished?

Look at their needles!

• Pine trees: Their needles grow from sheaths in groups of 2 or 5. These needles are long and light green. On Brijuni, species include Aleppo pine, Maritime pine, and Black pine. A rare Himalayan pine (Pinus wallichiana) with 5 needles in a sheath can also be found in the Brijuni Mediterranean Garden.
• Cedars: Their needles grow from sheaths in large numbers, are much shorter than pine needles, and are sharply pointed. On Brijuni, you can find Atlas, Himalayan, and Lebanese cedars.
• Firs: Their needles grow singly and directly from the branch. They are very soft, short, and brush-like. Common fir, Greek fir, and Spanish fir can be found on the island.

Text and visuals by Andrea Blašković