This black pine tree knot is from a tree growing on the south side of the Capilano Mall parking lot, in North Vancouver. It is a gorgeous tree and I always go to see it when I'm nearby. I love to see what the green lichens are doing. In the heat of the summer, they shrink and turn yellow and brown only to revive when the rains come. Black pine is native to Austria and the Mediterranean region, but it is planted across Canada along boulevards and busy roadways because it tolerates exhaust fumes. It is often planted in gardens for its beautiful bark. Don't go looking for great bark on trees along busy roads, however, as the bark will be very dark because of all the exhaust fumes which discolor its bark dark black. I take that as a warning.