Difference Between Pine and Fir

The key difference between pine and fir trees is on the tree foliage. Generally, pine tree grows in an irregular form while fir tree grows in a triangular form.

Both pine and fir trees are conifers. One main characteristic feature of both pine and fir is the production of cones. Although they belong to the same plant family of Pinaceae of the Gymnosperms, they belong to different plant genera. Fir trees are members of the genus Abies whilst pine trees belong to the genus Pinus. Even though both trees are similar in general form, based on their cone shape, foliage characteristics, and native ranges, there is some difference between pine and fir.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pine 
3. What is Fir
4. Similarities Between Pine and Fir
5. Side by Side Comparison – Pine vs Fir in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Pine?

A pine is a tree that belongs to the plant genus Pinus. The genus Pinus possesses about 120 different types of plant species. Also, pines can be trees or shrubs. They are native to many forest types in the Northern hemisphere. Mainly, they are present in regions of cold climates up to subtropics. In the tree foliage, pine needles are present in clusters from 2 to 8. The needles are soft, thin and glossy. They grow up to a length of 12-16 inches. Furthermore, pine trees are upright and tall. They have a rounded canopy of foliage with an irregular shape. In rare cases, they appear in a triangular form. Generally, pine tree bark is dark colored. It is cracked and appears with plate-like scales.

There are two types of pine cones: seed producing female cones and pollen-producing male cones. Female cones take 2-3 years to ripen fully. The seeds produced are winged. The pine cones split open in order to release. Male pine cones are small and present at the base of the needles.

What is Fir?

Fir is a tree that belongs to the plant genus Abies of family Pinaceae. They are evergreen trees. The genus Abies consists of 50 different species found in the mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere. Hence, fir trees are native to regions with cold temperatures. In the context of foliage characteristics, fir trees have relatively short needles occurring singly on the stem. These needles are soft and flattened with two sides. White stripes are present on the underside of the needles. The tip of each needle has a notch.

Fir trees grow in upright triangular form; consistently tall. The tree is wider at the lower branches. The bark is smooth. It is hidden by the branches and needles. Similar to pine, fir trees possess two types of cones: male and female. Male cones are present all over the tree. They fall off once they release their pollen. Female cones are present only on the uppermost branches.

What are the Similarities Between Pine and Fir?

• Both pine and fir trees are conifers.
• Furthermore, they are Gymnosperms.
• Both are members of the family Pinaceae.
• They grow in cold climatic regions.
• Also, both trees possess needle-like leaf foliages.
• And, their reproductive structures are cones.
• Hence, they do not produce flowers.

What is the Difference Between Pine and Fir?

Pine and fir trees are conifers belonging to two different genera. Fir species belong to the genus Abies while pine species belong to the genus Pinus. Therefore, the genera is the key difference between pine and fir. Furthermore, pine could be either trees or shrubs, but fir species are only trees. So, this is also a difference between pine and fir. Moreover, a significant difference between pine and fir is their habitat. Generally, pines are present in forests of northern hemisphere up to subtropical regions while fir trees are only present in cold climatic habitats.

In addition, pine trees are irregular in shape, but fir trees are triangular in shape. Thus, this is an important structural difference between pine and fir. Both types possess leaves known as needles. However, pine needles are long and occur in clusters from 2 to 8., but, fir needles are short and occur singly on the stem. Hence, this is also an important difference between pine and fir. Besides, both bear two types of cones; male cones and female cones. But, male cones of pine are small and present at the base of the needles. Also, in fir trees, male cones are present all over the tree.

Summary – Pine vs Fir

In summarizing the difference between pine and fir, both pine and fir are two types of coniferous plants. And, both produce cones and these cones are the reproductive structures of these plants. However, both plants differ in shape; pines are irregular in shape whilst firs are triangular in shape. Furthermore, although both trees are grown in cold climates, pines are present in the sub-tropical regions too. Moreover, both pines and firs belong to the family Pinaceae. But, in the genus level, pine belongs to the genus Pinus while fir belongs to the genus Abies. So, this is the key difference between pine and fir.

Reference:

1.  “Fir.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 3 Dec. 2018, Available here.
2. “Pine.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Apr. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pinus contorta 28289” By Walter Siegmund – Own work (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “93774” (CC0) via Max Pixel