PINUS pinaster

A popular ornamental tree with an erect stem and deeply fissured orange-brown to purple bark and stiff needle like foliage. Often planted in parks and gardens in areas with warm temperate climates where it has become naturalised in parts of Australia, South Africa and southern England. The cones are also an attractive feature of this tree being about 10-12 cm long with shiny scales. Flowering occurs in spring.

Often used to stabilise sandy soils or planted along exposed coasts as a windbreak as it is very tolerant of coastal exposure.
The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
The Maritime Pine is also commonly used in the art of Bonsai.

Native to the Mediterranean region of south-western Europe the Maritime pine is closely related to Turkish pine, Canary Island pine and Aleppo pine.

Adaptable to a wide range of soils and conditions. Drought tolerant.