Aleppo pine

Pinus halepensis

The Aleppo pine is a tall tree with long, green needles and a rough bark. It loves sunny places and can grow in dry areas. This tree is great for providing shade and homes for animals.

Habitat: Dry forests

Appearance

The Aleppo pine has an often-crooked trunk with reddish-brown bark that peels in plates. Its open, irregular crown holds short, bright green needles growing in pairs, and shiny, conical cones that stay on the branches for years.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPinus

Photo: spacebirdy (also known as geimfyglið (:> )=| made with Sternenlaus -spirit)CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Aleppo pine

Interesting facts

Aleppo pines grow curvy and twisty, like they're dancing in the wind!

Did you know its seeds, called pine nuts, are yummy and loved by people and animals?

Its wood has been used for centuries to build ships and even make musical instruments!

This brave tree is often the first to grow back after a forest fire!

Special abilities

Aleppo pine's cones are serotinous, meaning intense heat helps them burst open to release seeds and grow new trees.

Aleppo pine has long taproots that dive deep into dry soil to find hidden water sources, helping it survive droughts.

Aleppo pine creates sticky resin that oozes out to trap insects and heal wounds, protecting it from pests and diseases.

Measurements & details

Height: 1500-2500 cm
Spread: 500-1000 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

Eats

Red Squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

Feeds on its nutritious pine nuts.

Eats

Common Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

Extracts seeds from its tough cones.

Shelter

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Builds nests securely within its dense canopy.

Traits

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Coniferous

Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.

Evergreen

Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay away from sharp pine cones and branches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Aleppo pine?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Aleppo pine?

1500-2500 cm

How wide does Aleppo pine spread?

500-1000 cm

When does Aleppo pine bloom?

Spring

Is Aleppo pine edible?

Yes

Is Aleppo pine toxic?

None

What is Aleppo pine's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Aleppo pine pollinated?

Wind

Snap Map

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Where to spot

Cabrera Archipelago National Park place preview

National Park0 sightings40 species

Spain, ES

Cabrera Archipelago National Park

National Park, Marine Reserve, Birdwatching, Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing, Historical Site, Mediterranean Nature, Island Escape, Eco Tourism, Conservation, Balearic Islands.

You might spot Aleppo Pine, Mastic, and Tree Spurge.

View guide →