Abstract: A climatic signal associated with the tree-ring width and the optical density of the wood (Blue Intensity) has been evaluated in two related pine species, European black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten), growing on the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula. The influence of the cumulative effect of moisture deficiency on the radial growth and lignification processes in the latewood of the studied species has been shown. The specific reaction of P. nigra growing in mountain areas to a long-term drought has been revealed. The prospect for use of the Blue Intensity index for dendroclimatic studies on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula has been demonstrated.