About
This slow-growing pine able to reach 15m (50ft) when mature, although usually smaller, with a strongly tapering trunk, often twisted with age bearing grey to reddish-brown strongly fissured bark and a flat, irregularly shaped canopy. The trees are capable of reaching a very great age in habitat and can be among the oldest living things on earth. The evergreen, deep blue-green needles are produced in groups of five and up to 4cm (1½in) long. They are persistent and can live up to 17 years. The purple to brown roughly cylindrical cones take two years to mature and are soon shed after dispersing their seeds.
About the genus
Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
Growing conditions
Plant details
Care notes