# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas and sandy shores - **Also known as:** Pinus pinaster ![Maritime Pine](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424399/objects/4839.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Pinaceae ## 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 - **Fire Shield:** The Maritime Pine has thick, fire-resistant bark that helps it survive scorching wildfires. - **Deep Drinker:** It can grow a deep taproot, allowing it to find water in dry, sandy coastal soils. - **Wind Anchor:** This tree's flexible wood and strong roots help it stand firm against fierce coastal winds. - **Soil Pioneer:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-boar) (*Sus scrofa*) — seeks cover under its dense canopy ## Traits - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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? No ### 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? Cone ## Where to spot - [Courant d’Huchet National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/courant-huchet-national-nature-reserve) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Park - [Pinares de Rodeno Protected Landscape](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pinares-de-rodeno-protected-landscape) — Aragón, ES · Park - [Serra Calderona Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/serra-calderona-natural-park) — Comunitat Valenciana, ES · Park - [Serra d’Espadà Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/serra-d-espada-natural-park) — Comunitat Valenciana, ES · Park - [Sierra de Gredos Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-de-gredos-regional-park) — Castilla y León, ES · Park - [Valle de Iruelas Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valle-de-iruelas-nature-reserve) — Castilla y León, ES · Park [View all places to see Maritime Pine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/maritime-pine) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Maritime Pine: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maritime-pine)