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The dynamics of six different needle parameters of Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws. were examined retrospectively for a 112-year-old mixed stand in Brandenburg, Germany, using the needle trace method. Similarities were found in needle production, needle loss and needle density. However, needle age, needle retention and total number of needles revealed significant differences between the tree species, with higher values for P. ponderosa. Pinus ponderosa yielded approximately twice as much mean whole-crown needle dry mass as P. sylvestris. Furthermore, different branching systems could be detected between the species, with both pines following "Corner's rule". The results suggest that under identical growing conditions, P. ponderosa exhibits more efficient water use and can therefore maintain a bigger crown (as the basis for increased growth) than P. sylvestris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]