Pinus halepensis aka Aleppo Pine

Pinus halepensis is an evergreen tree in the pine family. Its common names are Aleppo pine and Jerusalem pine. It comes from the Mediterranean region and western Asia. Its range includes Spain, Morocco, Libya, Greece and Israel. It grows on rocky ground and hills near the sea. Garden trees reach about 33–49 feet (10–15 m) tall. Some trees reach 70 feet (21 m), according to Virginia Tech.

Young trees have a narrow or cone-shaped crown. Older trees form a broad, open crown with uneven branches. Their shape may become rounded or like an umbrella. The trunk can bend or twist as it grows. Young bark is smooth and pale gray. Older bark turns reddish brown, with grooves and scaly ridges. The stout twigs range from ash-gray to gray-brown. Thin needles give the crown a fine texture. They grow in pairs, though some bundles hold three. Their color ranges from light green to yellowish green. Some needles twist slightly, and their sheaths stay in place.

Male and female cones grow on the same tree. The male cones form tight groups at branch tips. Young female cones are small and reddish purple. The reported bloom season runs through spring. Seed cones start green and turn brown as they ripen. They have short stalks and a broad, egg-like shape. Their scales lack sharp points. Cones may stay on the tree for several years. Their lasting presence adds detail to the open crown.

Grow this pine in full sun with good soil drainage. It accepts chalk, clay, loam and sand. It also accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Poor soil, coastal sites and desert heat suit it. Established trees resist drought, and routine pruning is not needed. RHS rates its UK hardiness as H5. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 8–11. RHS gives a maturity span of 20–50 years. Growers can raise new trees from seed.

This tree suits coastal gardens and Mediterranean-style planting. It can form a woodland canopy or a windbreak. Its needles yield tan or green dyes. Resin from the trunk serves as chewing gum and wine flavoring. Processing its resins can also yield vanillin flavoring. These uses do not establish that every part is edible. Possible pests include adelgids, conifer aphids and pine shoot moth. Sawfly larvae may also attack it. Honey fungus and needle cast can cause disease.