Black Pine Trees Research Articles

Review of Japanese Pine Bast Scale, Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana) (Coccomorpha: Matsucoccidae), Occurring on Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) and Japanese Red Pine (P. densiflora Siebold & Zucc.) from Korea

Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana, 1905), commonly known as Japanese pine bast scale, is a destructive pest on pine trees in North America, East Asia, and Northern Europe. The spread of damage to black pine trees, Pinus thunbergii Parl., due to M. matsumurae has been reported throughout Southern and some Eastern and Western coastal regions in Korea, under the name M. thunbergianae, which was described by Miller and Park (1987). Recently, M. thunbergianae was synonymized with M. matsumurae by Booth and Gullan (2006), based on molecular sequences and morphological data. However, M. thunbergianae is still considered a valid species in Korea. Since supporting data for the synonyms are unavailable in any DNA database (e.g., GenBank and BOLD), we performed morphological and molecular comparisons to review the results of Booth and Gullan (2006) using samples of M. matsumurae collected from Japan and topotype materials of M. thunbergianae from Korea. Our study supports the opinion of Booth and Gullan (2006), as the morphological features of the adult female and male of M. thunbergianae are identical to those of M. matsumurae, and DNA sequences (18S and 28S) of M. thunbergianae show identical or very low genetic distances with those of M. matsumurae. Additionally, regional sampling of Korea produced the first documented occurrence of M. matsumurae in Jeju.

Mechanical properties of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) planted on coastal sand dunes: resistance to uprooting and stem breakage by tsunamis

Given that Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) are predominant in the coastal forests of Japan and are part of the defence structure against tsunamis, the quantification of their resistance to tree damage is necessary. The resistance of Japanese black pine to uprooting and stem breakage and its bending properties were estimated by a tree-pulling test and bending test of green logs in conjunction with the published literature. A general equation to estimate the critical turning moment for uprooting was developed using diameter at breast height and tree height as predictor variables. For moduli of elasticity and rupture of stems (MOE and MOR), medians [5th and 95th percentile values] were 5.41 [3.78, 6.82] GPa and 35.0 [28.7, 41.8] MPa, respectively. With the obtained critical turning moment and MOR, the critical tsunami water depth was estimated by numerical simulations using modelled trees. The numerical simulations revealed that Japanese black pine trees on coastal sand dunes tended to be more vulnerable to uprooting than stem breakage, with taller and more slender trees showing less resistance to stem breakage. The results on the mechanical properties of Japanese black pine are of use to those in the wood science community as well as coastal managers who need to know the mechanical strength of Japanese black pine to help evaluate their resistance against tsunamis.

Seasonal radial growth of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, monitored by the pinning method and manual band dendrometers

Despite numerous dendroclimatological investigations into different tree species from Bosnia and Herzegovina, information is lacking on intra-annual wood formation patterns, which would help us to interpret the climate signal in tree rings better. Using the pinning method and manual band dendrometers, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of radial growth of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) trees in two successive growing seasons: 2011 and 2012. The up to 60-year-old trees grew in a stand at the base of a hill in the western, mountainous part of the Balkan Peninsula. The seasonal dynamics of wood formation and final number of cells differed between the studied years. Wood formation started in both years in early to mid-March. Differences were noticed in the wood production culmination; in 2011 it occurred at the end of May and beginning of June in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Xylem growth finished in 2012 in the middle of August and in 2011 in the middle of September. Based on the first derivative of the Gompertz function calculated rate of xylem growth was lowest in 2011. The dendrometers recorded a slow increment rate in spring, higher in summer and a decreasing rate again in the late summer in both growing seasons. In comparison with pinning, dendrometers showed a delay in the start of radial growth of up to 20 days in 2012. Additionally, dendrometers showed an increase in stem girth after the end of both growing seasons, when wood formation was already completed. Deviations between the two methods could be ascribed to the influence of water storage dynamics in the main stem and numerous structural processes in bark tissue, which are captured in dendrometer data. The influence of weather conditions on xylem phenology is also indicated by differences between the two studied years, although it is difficult to identify the influence of particular short-term weather events.

The anatomy of »blue ring« in the wood of Pinus nigra

Tree-ring features are widely used to identify specific climate, environment and stress events affecting plant life. Cold temperatures can mainly affect the last phase of cell differentiation by interfering in the process of cell wall lignin deposition. Recently, it was found out that the effect of cold temperature on lignification is visible in wood microsections double stained with astra blue which stains cellulose, and red safranin which stains lignin. This new tree-ring feature was called »blue ring«. In this study, we investigated the anatomical morphology of blue rings in transverse and longitudinal wood microsections of three European black pine trees (Pinus nigra Arnold) growing above the treeline. We aim to understand if the lack of lignification is consistent along the entire tracheid length and whether or not pits, responsible for water transport from one tracheid to another, are lignified. The results show that the lack of lignification extends along the entire tracheids cell wall, including bordered pits. Based on our observations we speculate that blue ring occurrence decreases the safety of water transport and wood mechanical properties.

Batı Karadeniz Bölgesinde FlamMap yazılımı ve uzaktan algılama teknikleri kullanılarak orman yangın davranışı simülasyonunun değerlendirilmesi

Aim of study: Forest fuels are very critical for fire behavior models and hazard maps. Relationship among wind speed, fuel moisture content, slope, and fuel type directs us to predict fire behavior of a given region. For this study, we evaluated fire behavior parameters such as fireline intensity and rate of fire spread using the fuel moisture content, slope, fuel load, and wind speed for the Bayam Forest District with the help of remote sensing techniques and FlamMap software.Area of study: The study area is located in Bayam Forest District in the city of Taskopru, Kastamonu, a Western Black Sea region of Turkey.Material and Methods: In order to estimate and map forest fuel load of the study area, fuel models were developed using the parameters of the average vegetation height, 1-hr, 10-hr, and 100-hr fuel load, foliage, total fuel load, litter load and litter depth. Three basic fire descriptors (fireline intensity, rate of fire spread, and flame length) were calculated using FlamMap software with the parameters fuel load, wind speed, fuel moisture, and slope. Using the descriptors above, the historical fire data was overlaid with the fireline intensity maps to determine fire potential areas within the remote sensing and GIS framework.Main results: The results of this study showed that 20.0% of the region had low (<2 m min-1), 43.2% had moderate (2-15 m min-1), 12.0% had high (15-30 m min-1), and 24.8% had very high (>30 m min-1) rate of fire spread, respectively. The fireline intensity map showed that 60.7% of the area was in low (0-350 kW m-1), 24.9% was in moderate (350-1700 kW m-1), 1.3% was in high (1700-3500 kW m-1), and 13.0% was in very high (>3500 kW m-1) fireline intensity.Highlights: The spatial extent of fuel types was observed and three of the potential fire behavior predictors (fire intensity, rate of fire spread and flame length) were estimated using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The overlaid historical fire data showed that the most fire-prone areas are in the mixed young Anatolian black pine - Scots pine tree stands that have 40-70% canopy cover and that are in the young Anatolian black pine tree stands that have more than 70% canopy cover.

Effect of tree age on chemical compounds of ancient Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) needles in Northwest Turkey

Plant primary and secondary metabolites are chemical compounds synthesized for essential functions, such as growth and development (primary metabolites), and specific functions, such as pollinator attraction or defense against herbivory (secondary metabolites). Their concentrations in plants are genetically determined, but are also affected by environmental factors. Among these factors, plant age has been reported to influence plant chemical compounds under similar environmental conditions. We aimed to investigate the chemical compounds of ancient Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) needles from trees of different ages. Needles of over 500-, 200-, 100-, 50-, and 25-year-old black pine trees growing under similar environmental conditions were sampled and analyzed for photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids), proline, total soluble protein, glucose, sucrose, total soluble sugar, peroxidation level (MDA-malondialdehyde), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and antioxidants such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Significant differences for chemical composition associated with age were found. In general, results showed that over 500-year-old Anatolian black pine had the highest proline, total soluble protein, H2O2, sucrose, total soluble carbohydrates, APX, CAT and SOD concentrations, whereas they had the lowest chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid and glucose concentrations. However, 200-year-old trees had the highest glucose, but the lowest chlorophyll b, proline, H2O2 and total soluble carbohydrates. 50- and 25-year-old trees together showed the highest chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid and MDA, but lowest total soluble protein and sucrose. In conclusion, these results provide valuable insight into the chemical composition of Anatolian black pine needles in relation to their age, and can be used for complementing studies on tree growth-defence relationships.

Radial Growth Behavior of Pines on Romanian Degraded Lands

More than a third of Romania’s surface has low-productive soils, at the same time exposed to risks of climatic phenomena and generating high economic loss. Afforestation with pine has been the most common solution for the recovery of sheet erosion. Many of the pines grown on such land have run down. This paper presents the results of the first dendroecological investigation of degraded lands in Romania, 80 years after the first ecological reconstruction. In this way, the effects of reconstruction were assessed, supporting the adoption of future solutions for the improvement and efficiency of recovered ecosystems. Reconstructed radial growth was set against rainfall, air temperature, and management history. A total of 330 black pine and Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus nigra Arn.) of different ages and social positions from 11 stands of different densities were cored for retrospective tree-ring analysis. Scots pine has made better use of these sites, with a better growth rate than black pine especially in plantations with lower survival and on dominant trees. The dynamics of radial growth distinguish the two pine species, with Scots pine showing an accentuated juvenile growth spurt and bigger growth range. The growth decline is predominantly a maturation effect that begins when the tree is around 40 years old and seems to be irreversible. After this age, weak or moderated removal is not enough to revive growth. The contribution of climate (air temperature and rainfall) to the last radial increments in decline is 3–57% and is higher than in the previous decades. On moderately degraded land by farming and grazing, the mixture of Scots pine and black pine, rather than monocultures, proved to be a sustainable solution. Dendrochronological surveying of restored ecosystems allows development of management strategies, which becomes critically important in the circumstances of climate warming.

Green water reconstructed for Rižana watershed, SW Slovenia

In this case study, set in south-west Slovenia, the feasibility of reconstructing green water (the combined amount of evaporated and transpired water in trees and available in the soil) was investigated. In a simplified scheme, the amounts of green water were calculated as the difference between precipitation and discharge of the Rižana river. Based on the methods of dendroclimatology, the climate signal was tested on black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) trees growing in the south-western part of the Rižana watershed near the Slovenian sea coast. Results showed that the measured tree-ring parameters of tree-ring width and density are strongly dependent on the amount of green water. The strongest correlation was between available green water in the period May–August and tree-ring width (r = 0.61) and latewood width (r = 0.64) (both n = 46, p < 0.001). The climate signal is significant and stable through time, which enabled the reconstruction of green water data into the period before instrumentally measured data. Green water data from the May–August period were extended from 1966 back to 1937 using tree-ring width, and back to 1940 using latewood width. With additional coring of older trees and the extension of existing chronologies, even longer reconstructions could be developed.

Spatial variability of throughfall under single birch and pine tree canopies

The influence of tree characteristics and meteorological variables on spatial variability of throughfall under a single silver birch and black pine tree was evaluated. During the year 2016 throughfall was measured at 11 points under each tree canopy. For 30 analysed events total throughfall under the birch tree accounted for 73% and under the pine tree 56% of the rainfall in the open. The coefficient of variation of point throughfall was 30% and 40% for the birch and pine tree, respectively. In case of the birch tree both the distance from the stem and canopy coverage influenced throughfall spatial variability, which also showed different patterns during leafed and leafless periods. Additionally, the amount of rainfall and its microstructure influenced the spatial variability of throughfall under the birch tree. However, among the considered tree characteristics only canopy coverage was recognized as a parameter influencing spatial variability of throughfall under the pine. Furthermore, its spatial patterns were specified by meteorological variables, namely the amount of rainfall and its intensity.

The influence of temperature and precipitation on the increment of black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold): A case study from the area of Mt. Rudnik

The influence of temperature and precipitation on the growth of artificially established black pine trees in the area of Mountain Rudnik was studied in this paper. For that purpose, we bored 50 series of radial increment from 25 dominant trees. The aforementioned influence was analyzed by applying three procedures: a correlation between seasonal values of temperature and precipitation and RES chronologies of radial increment, a correlation between monthly temperature and precipitation data and RES chronologies, and response function analysis. The results have shown that black pine was very sensitive towards the precipitation in summer months in the given conditions, in the way that higher amounts of summer precipitation resulted in significantly higher radial increment values. The variations of radial increment were less conditioned by temperature oscillations, whereby the week negative influence of July temperatures on the increment values was detected. It was concluded that the reaction of black pine in the investigated site in terms of increment and its dependence on climate was similar to the reaction of this species in Serbia and other neighbouring countries characterized by similar climate conditions.

ExpansinB3 as a marker for detecting pine wood nematode-infected pine trees

To develop a method for recognizing pine trees infected with pine wood nematodes (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, we have constructed a monoclonal antibody (Mab) library for Expansin B3 (EXPB3), which is one of the known proteins that is secreted by PWN. We conducted a primary screening by using the EXPB3 peptides and selected 96 fusion cell lines with a high immunoreactivity. A secondary screening was performed using the PBS extracts of the PWN-infected pine trees (PWNIPTs). Thirteen clones, including 9 clones with high immunoreactivities, were selected, and limited dilutions were performed to establish Mab-secreting hybridoma lines. A total of 74 PWN infected pine trees collected from 9 PWN-affected areas in the Republic of Korea were analyzed by using EXPB3-Mab-3-1-H3-C11-E4 (EXPB3-C11-E4). EXPB3-C11-E4 recognized all of the infected pine trees with some variations. This Mab demonstrated a significantly higher reactivity to the black pines when compared to the red pines. This Mab recognized both PWN-infected red and black pine trees collected from different regions, but were able to displayed regional differences with the black pine trees. In addition, the EXPB3-C11-E4 immunoreactivity in black pine trees had a significant correlation regarding the degree of PWN infection and the perimeters of the trees. The results of this study reveal that EXPB3, an antigen secreted by PWN, and its specific Mabs may be used for the diagnosis of PWNIPTs.

Allometric equations to assess biomass, carbon and nitrogen content of black pine and red pine trees in southern Korea

A total of 74 Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) and red pine (P. densiflora S. et Z.) trees were destructively sampled in southern Korea, which is severely affected by pine wilt disease (PWD). Species-specific allometric equations were developed to estimate the biomass, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content of the tree components (i.e., stem wood, stem bark, branches, needles and roots) based on the diameter at breast height (DBH) and stem diameter at 20 cm aboveground (D20). The C concentrations of the various tree components were not correlated with DBH (P > 0.05), except for the C concentration in the stem bark (r = -0.29, P < 0.05) of the black pine and the branches (r = 0.40, P < 0.05) of the red pine. However, the N concentrations in the stem wood (r = -0.53, P < 0.05), stem bark (r = -0.37, P < 0.05) and branches (r = -0.40, P < 0.05) of the black pine were negatively correlated with DBH. The mean C concentrations of the tree components were not significantly different between the black pine and red pine, except for the stem bark, whereas the mean N concentrations were significantly lower in the black pine than in the red pine, except for the stem bark. The allometric equations developed for the biomass, C and N content for all the tree components were significant (P < 0.05). The adjusted coefficient of determination (adj. R2) of the DBH allometric equations ranged from 0.66 to 0.97, while the coefficients for the D20 equations were between 0.66 and 0.95. Black pines consistently exhibited more biomass, C and N content in the tree components compared with the red pines with similar DBH or D20. These results suggest that the accuracy of estimates for biomass, C and N stocks in black pine and red pine forests could be improved by specific allometric equations for PWD-disturbed forests.

Study on the Damage by Pine Wood Nematode in Black Pine Trees

Study on the Damage by Pine Wood Nematode in Black Pine Trees

Development of a pheromone trap for monitor black pine bast scale, Matsucoccus thunbergianae (Hemiptera: Margarodidae)

Black pine bast scale, Matsucoccus thunbergianae spreads rapidly to northern and eastern coastal regions and caused serious damage to black pine trees, Pinus thunbergii. To monitor accurate occurrence with the sex pheromone of M. thunbergianae, we synthesized racemic matsuone [(2E,4E,6R)-4,6,10,12-tetramethyltrideca-2,4-dien-7-one] and evaluated its attractiveness with two types of stick traps in Namhae, Sacheon, and Jinju. Two-sided sticky traps baited with the sex pheromone attracted significantly more male M. thunbergianae in Namhae in 2013. Eight-sided sticky traps baited with 50μg racemic matsuone attracted significantly more males M. thunbergianae than did control traps at Namhae and Sacheon in 2014. The result was confirmed through a field bioassay performed at Jinju in 2015. Our results suggest that the newly developed eight-sided stick pheromone traps could supply more accurate but also easier to apply monitoring data than the traditional egg sac survey method for M. thunbergianae.

Effect of family, crown position, number of winter buds, fresh weight and the length of needle on rooting ability of Pinus thunbergii Parl. cuttings

Abstract: As a measure for contrasting pine wilt disease, which caused serious damage in Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle), resistant trees have been widely planted in Japan. The propagation of resistant trees using cuttings obtained from healthy stock plants and inoculated with pine wood nematode is expected to further increase in the next future. To improve the cutting propagation of Japanese black pine trees resistant to pine wilt disease, the factors associated with rooting and root volume were investigated. The type of cutting and the crown position of stock plants from which cuttings were taken, were markedly associated with rooting. The crown position did not show significant interactions with any other investigated factor, while fresh weight of cuttings and their number of winter buds did not affect rooting. The rooting percentage was markedly higher for cuttings taken from the lower crown than for those from the upper crown, as already reported for other coniferous tree species. The length of the longest needle was significantly correlated with the root volume of cuttings, and showed significantly interactions with crown position and fresh weight of cuttings. Such correlation suggests that the growth of needles can be considered a useful predictor in the assessment of the root volume of cuttings during the propagation period, allowing growers to transplant rooted cuttings at the appropriate time without excavating or uprooting. These findings may contribute to the improvement of cutting propagation of Japanese black pine.

Effects of black locust and black pine on extremely degraded sites 60 years after afforestation - a case study of the Grdelica Gorge (southeastern Serbia)

Abstract: The selection of tree species can affect the success of afforestation in the rehabilitation of degraded forest sites and forest restoration. In general, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) represent the most commonly used species in the afforestation of soils that have been degraded by erosion. As far as the extent of the ameliorative effects of black locust and black pine are concerned, it was found that they may play an important role in the selection of species for the afforestation of extremely degraded sites. This study is aimed at determining the potential of black locust and black pine to affect several soil properties, erosion control and C stock, thus creating favourable site conditions for the restoration of previous forest vegetation. This research was conducted in the Grdelica Gorge in south east Serbia, where eight sample plots with an average size of 0.47 ha were established 60 years ago on terrain afforested with black locust and black pine. In each sample plot, we measured the diameter at breast height of all black locust and black pine trees, and the height of 10 black locust and 10 black pine trees in each diameter class. In addition, samples of mineral soil (from depths of 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm) were taken at 4 randomly selected soil profiles in each sample plot, and 8 samples of litter (30 × 30 cm) were also collected. Additionally, laboratory analyses of the physical and chemical properties of the soil and litter were performed in 2 replicates. The obtained results showed that: (1) at the 0-5 cm depth, there was no statistically significant difference in the reaction of the soil solution, although a significant difference in the reaction of the soil solution between the soils under the two species was observed at soil depths greater than 5 cm; (2) there was a significantly higher N content under black locust in the 0-5 cm soil layer; (3) the reduction of soil loss under black locust is statistically significant in all observation periods; (4) black pine is more efficient in C storage. Our results demonstrate that black locust has the potential to improve soil properties and reduce soil loss caused by erosion, while its favourable impact does not decrease over time, making it more suitable for afforestation on degraded land in the examined area.

한련초(Eclipta prostrata) 추출물과 terthiophene의 소나무재선충(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)에 대한 살선충 효과

Abstract Pine wood nematode, Bursaphlenchus xylophilus is a fatal damaging pest, infecting pinewoodtrees and is one of the serious forest pest in Korea. Trunk injection is one of the most effective method toprotect the live pine trees from nematode infection. The aim of this research was to reveal the efficacy of thenematicidal materials from 46 Kyrgyzstan, 88 Vietnam plant materials and 21 active materials (α-terpinene,α-pinene, β-thujaplicin, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, emodin, geraniol, limonone, methyl palmitate, matrine, myrcene,methyl gallate, nicotine, quassin, resveratrol, rotenone, thymol, thujaplicin, terthiophene, tuberstemonine, γ-terpinene) isolated from plants for using as trunk injection agents. Eclipta prostrata extract was highlyeffective against pine wood nematode in plant extracts and terthiophene has the best nematicidal activity fromactive materials isolated from plants. Foliar spray of terthiophene on Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii)tree reduced proliferation of inoculated pine wood nematode at 22 days after treatment, however no efficacywas found over 22 days. Eclipta prostrata extract and terthiophene can be used as nematicide for furthernematicidal efficacy test against any other plant parasitic nematodes and trunk injection efficacy against pinewood nematode. Key words Kyrgyzstan, pine tree, plant extract, trunk injection, Vietnam << ORCIDDong-Woon Leehttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9751-5390

Diet of an inland population of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Populations of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in inland New South Wales have declined or disappeared. Habitat requirements and diet of these populations are poorly understood. Determining the diet of inland ringtail possums is crucial to understanding the factors limiting their survival, and was the focus of this study. Spotlighting surveys were conducted to locate ringtail possums, and scat and vegetation samples were collected for microhistological analysis. Ringtail possums were most frequently observed in red stringybark followed by bundy box and black cypress pine trees, and this correlated with the most common dietary items consumed.

Age and life history of an old black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) tree at Cave Temple on Mt. Sanbangsan, Jeju Island, Korea, died due to pine wilt disease in 2013

In 2013, the epidemics of pine wilt disease caused by the pine wood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) resulted in damages to the forests of black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) trees in Jeju Island, Korea. Among the affected trees, an old black pine tree at Cave Temple on Mt. Sanbangsan was included and died due to the prevalence of pine wilt disease. The tree was on Mt. Sanbangsan, which was designated as a National Scenic Place with the Number 77 and was believed to be more than 400 years old in age. By examining the disc of the tree stem obtained from the height of 2 m, we counted the tree rings from 4 different directions and cross-dated the readings by comparing the records of drought simulated from the BROOK Model. Our analysis indicates that the tree seems to have grown since late 1860s. Contrary to the belief of the general public, we can conclude that the age of the tree was estimated to be at maximum 150 years, which means that it was not the same old tree as was shown in the painting of the Tam-Ra-Sun-Ryeok-Do (an old painting book for the Inspection Tour of Jeju Island) published in 1702. Discussion was extended to the life history of the tree in growth and leaning and the measures to protect the tree species from the damages of the pine wilt disease caused by pine wood nematodes.

Modeling Tree Characteristics of Individual Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) Trees for Use in Remote Sensing-Based Inventory

The main aim was to develop models for predicting diameter at breast height (DBH), merchantable tree volume (V), and aboveground biomass (AGB) of individual black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) trees grown in Sub-Mediterranean Croatian pure even-aged forests, which will be suitable for remote sensing based forest inventories. In total, eight variables obtained from field measurement, existing database, and digital terrain model were candidates for independent variables in regression analysis. DBH, V, and AGB were modeled as linear function of each of the independent variables, and all possible linear combinations thereof. Goodness of fit of every model was then evaluated using R2 statistic. Comparison between selected models showed that the variability of all dependent variables are explained best by models which include both crown diameter and tree height as independent variables with coefficients of determination of 0.83, 0.89, 0.82 for DBH, V, and AGB, respectively. Consequently, these models may be recommended as the most suited for DBH, V and AGB estimation of black pine trees grown in pure Sub-Mediterranean forest stands using high-resolution aerial images or high-density airborne laser scanning data. This assumption should be further validated by conducting remote sensing inventory and comparing the obtained results with field measurement results.