Interesting and useful things about the pine needles

Interesting and useful things about the pine needles

From a botanical point of view, the needles are leaves and needle-shaped. The needles highlight several advantages. The compact shape protects them very well from frost and cold, so most conifers are green even in winter.

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It also significantly reduces evaporation. Predators do not like the often hard and pointed needles as much as soft leaves, this is another advantage that should not be underestimated, but only with older spruce trees, the young shoots are very tasty.

Are there any differences between spruce and pine needles?

There are two fundamental differences between spruce needles and pine needles: Pine needles are relatively soft and only grow on both sides of the branch (more or less horizontally). The needles of a spruce, on the other hand, are sharp and hard. They grow around the branch on short brown stems.

Why does a spruce lose its needles?

There can be very different reasons for your spruce needling. In most cases the soil is too dry, and sometimes too firm. It may also be due to a nutritional deficiency or an infestation with parasites.

Can I use the pine needles in any way?

Old spruce needles can also be used, but they taste really intense and unusual. Therefore, young shoots are used in different ways. The fresh, light green shoot tips are used. They can be processed fresh or dried.

To refine desserts or to season salads, you should only use the freshly harvested tips. Fresh needles are also better for herb butter and wild herb pesto. Liqueur or schnapps can be made with both dried and fresh shoots. The same goes for tea or a bathing approach.

Do spruce needles have any health effects?

Like pine needles, spruce needles are natural remedies. They can be used in many ways. The spruce needles are said to relieve colds and respiratory infections as well as sore muscles and tension. They are also used to support rheumatism, gout or lumbago.

Possible use of spruce tips:

  • Making liqueur
  • Seasoning salads
  • as an ingredient in herb butter
  • for wild herb pesto
  • Refine desserts
  • take a refreshing bath
  • Cooking cough tea

Are spruce needles a good fertilizer?

You should not use spruce needles for fertilization, as they make the soil acidic, which is not good for many plants. Even the spruce trees cannot tolerate too many of their needles on the ground. Check the pH value in the soil under your spruce from time to time, then you can take countermeasures in good time.

Tips

If you want to use the young spruce tips, then collect them while they are still light green.