Aleppo Pine Data Sheet

• Common name: Aleppo pine

• Latin name: Pinus halepensis

• Genus: Pinus

• Height: 25 m (82 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 8–10

• Conservation status: Least concern

Pinus halepensis, commonly known as the Aleppo pine or Jerusalem pine, is native to coastal regions around the Mediterranean basin. Its range primarily extends across Spain, Morocco and Algeria, as well as France, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Syria (it's named after Aleppo in Syria), Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

This tree grows at low altitudes, from sea level to 200 m (660 ft), but can grow higher up in the right climate. It prefers hot, dry locations

Aleppo pine is a medium-sized tree, 25 m (82 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter up to 60 cm (24 in). The thick, orange-red bark is fissured at the base of the trunk. The slender needles are produced in pairs, 6–12 cm long, yellowish green. The narrow cones are 5–12 cm long and 2–3 cm wide, and glossy red-brown when ripe.

It can live up to 150 years.

The Aleppo pine is closely related to the Turkish, Canary Island and maritime pines.

This tree can be used for bonsai. The resin is used to produce retsina. It is widely planted for lumber in its native areas.

It makes a fine ornamental tree, though its irregular look is more rugged rather than pretty. It also provides good shade. It grows rapidly and requires a lot of space, making it best suited for parks and commercial plantings.

Pre Germination

Pretreatment and stratification not required. Fill trays or pots with quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seeds across the surface; around 25 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and firm down gently.

Keep compost damp, never saturated or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination occurs at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Keep seedlings in a bright, well-ventilated area to avoid damping off disease. Ensure they never dry out or become waterlogged. These seedlings are large and sturdy and will give you no hassle. Separate them into 4" pots at 6–8 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outside. Fertilisation is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young trees. Seedlings are prone to moth attacks; they lay their eggs on the young needles. The resulting caterpillars then glue a clump of germinated saplings together and chew out the crowns.

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