E05, E06: Corsican Pine: Pinus nigra maritima

Native to Southern Italy – its close relatives growing throughout the Mediterranean and Turkey – this pine is commonly planted everywhere in Britain since the 18th c. It grows to 35 m ( to 55 m. in favourable conditions) and can live for up to 500 years. The crown usually forms a narrow regular cone, the Austrian pine having a  more open rounded form ( the two are subspecies of the same species). The leaves are in pairs, 12-18 cm. The cone is ovoid, pointed and 5-8 cm long and becoming grey brown. It was originally planted for forestry and has become a feature of many parks and gardens.