Maritime Pine

Pinus pinaster Aiton

The Maritime Pine is a tall tree that loves the coast. It has long needles and a big, bushy top that looks like a crown.

Habitat: Coastal areas and sandy shores

Appearance

The Maritime Pine is a sturdy tree with a straight trunk, often reddish-brown and deeply fissured. It has long, stiff, dark green needles in pairs and large, conical, glossy brown cones. Its sparse, open canopy often looks windswept.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceae

Maritime Pine

Interesting facts

It can grow in really sandy, poor soil where other trees struggle!

Its sticky sap has been used to make turpentine for centuries!

Its super-thick bark helps it survive forest fires!

Some ancient Maritime Pines have lived for over 500 years!

Special abilities

The Maritime Pine has thick, fire-resistant bark that helps it survive scorching wildfires.

It can grow a deep taproot, allowing it to find water in dry, sandy coastal soils.

This tree's flexible wood and strong roots help it stand firm against fierce coastal winds.

Maritime Pine can colonize poor, sandy soils, making it a pioneer in challenging environments.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-35 m
Spread: 8-15 m
Edible: No
Size: 50-120 cm
Lifespan: 150-500 years
Fruit Type: Cone
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Evergreen

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Pine Processionary Caterpillar

Thaumetopoea pityocampa

larvae feed on its needles

Depends on

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

feeds on its nutrient-rich seeds

Symbiotic with

Weeping Bolete

Suillus granulatus

helps roots absorb water and nutrients

Shelter

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

seeks cover under its dense canopy

Traits

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.

Salt Tolerant

Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.

Timber

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

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Also known as

Pinus pinaster

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Maritime Pine?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Maritime Pine?

15-35 m

How wide does Maritime Pine spread?

8-15 m

Is Maritime Pine edible?

How big is Maritime Pine?

50-120 cm

How long does Maritime Pine live?

150-500 years

Where is Maritime Pine usually found?

Coastal areas and sandy shores

What kind of fruit does Maritime Pine produce?