Austrian Pine — Pinus nigra

Pinus is Latin for a pine tree; nigra means black. A native of Europe and western Asia, this pine was introduced to North America as early as 1759.

While native of Austria and Romania, this exotic of Colorado seems to adapt to a wide variety of local soils and exposures. It appears to adapt even better thanthe native Ponderosa pine. Resembling the latter, Austrian pine is usually darker green than Ponderosa and more densely needled.

The needles are in clusters of two, rarely three and may vary in length from three to six and one-half inches. The cones, when open, are three to four inches long and mostly lacking the sharp prickles found on Ponderosa pine.

This species is often confused with the native Ponderosa but can be readily separated by the prominent buds with broadly triangular scales fringed white. Ponderosa pine buds have narrow, pointed scales and an inconspicuous fringe. An old, mature specimen, if allowed to grow without competition, will develop into a wide-spreading, picturesque tree.

Other locations in Denver:

Two giants are located east of the Natural History Museum in Denver’s City Park.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Pine