Aleppo pine

Aleppo pine

Pinus halepensis (Pinaceae)

Common Name:

Aleppo pine

Scientific Name:

Pinus halepensis (Pinaceae)


Alternative common names:

Aleppoden (Afrikaans)

Description:

A coniferous tree growing up to 15m high, conical in shape with a short trunk when young and rounded to oblong with a crooked trunk when older. Crown open with silvery-grey bark becoming darker. Grey-green to yellow-green leaf needles in bundles of two 4-8cm long. It invades grasslands and fynbos, particularly on dry soils

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Mediterranean

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

Existing legislation: CARA 2002 - Category 2 NEMBA - Category 2

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Eastern Cape and Western Cape

How does it spread?

Spreads by seed dispersal from the cones

Why is it a problem?

Competes with and replaces indigenous species. Dense stands can reduce water runoff and stream flow from mountain catchments, reduce grazing, and pose a fire hazard which threatens the survival of indigenous animal and plant species

What does it look like?

General description: Coniferous tree 5-15m high; conical with a short trunk when young, rounded to oblong with a crooked trunk when older and having an crown open with numerous slender branches. The bark is silvery-grey becoming darker.
Leaves: Needles, grey-green to yellow-green, in bundles of two, short, 40-80mm long, slender and stiff.
Flowers: Does not produce flowers.
Fruit/Seeds: Produce reddish-brown, glossy, woody, conic-ovoid, 80-100mm long, clustered on stout, reflexed stalks; cone scales flat or slightly raised along a transverse ridge

Does the plant have any uses?

Used for shelter, poles, firewood

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