Jerusalem pine (Pinus halepensis, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 8 (1768))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 8 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit.

Description

Jerusalem pine, scientifically known as Pinus halepensis, is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Pinaceae family. This species is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, which significantly influences its growth characteristics and ecological niche.

Pinus halepensis typically exhibits a tall and slim stature, reaching heights of up to 25 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 60 centimeters. The bark of the tree is deeply fissured and adopts a reddish-brown hue on mature trees, while younger specimens display a smoother bark that may range from gray to light brown. The tree’s needles, which grow in pairs, are slender, flexible, and can be a vivid green or grey-green color. They usually measure 6-12 centimeters in length, providing a delicate yet robust foliage that is well-suited to dry and hot climates.

The cones of the Jerusalem pine are particularly noteworthy. They are ovoid in shape, measuring 6-12 centimeters in length, and mature over three years, turning from green to a glossy brown as they ripen. The seeds contained within these cones are dispersed by wind, contributing to the wide distribution of the species across its native range.

Jerusalem pine is highly valued for its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions, where many other tree species would struggle. This resilience is partly due to its deep root system, which allows it to access water from subterranean levels — an essential trait for survival in the arid Mediterranean environment. Its hardy nature makes it a popular choice for reforestation projects, especially in degraded or eroded landscapes.

Beyond its ecological importance, Pinus halepensis has several practical uses. The wood of this pine is versatile and is often used for construction, carpentry, and producing paper pulp. Additionally, its resin has been historically tapped for producing turpentine and other related products.

While it is a robust species, the Jerusalem pine faces threats from various external factors. These include forest fires, which are a common occurrence in its native habitat, and diseases such as pine wilt disease and infestation by the pine processionary moth. Conservation efforts are crucial for maintaining healthy populations of this species in the wild.

Pinus halepensis represents a vital component of the Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Its adaptability and multifaceted utility highlight its significance, making it a tree of considerable interest both ecologically and economically.

Common Names

Eng: aleppo pine, jerusalem pine
Deu: aleppo-kiefer, see-kiefer, seekiefer, strand-kiefer
Afr: aleppoden
Hun: aleppófenyo
Fra: pin blanc, pin blanc de provence, pin d’alep, pin de jérusalem, pin-d’alep
Ita: pino d’aleppo, sappino
Swe: aleppotall
Spa: pinheiro-de-alepo, pino carrasco, pino de alepo, piño-de-alepo
Por: pinheiro-de-jerusalém
Mlt: prinjoli, žnuber
Rus: сосна алеппская (sosna aleppskaya)
Zho: 地中海松 (di zhong hai song)
Ara: صنوبر حلبي
En: Jerusalem pine, Aleppo pine
Af: Aleppoden
Ar: صنوبر حلبي
Hy: Հալեպյան եղևնի
Eu: Alepo pinu
Bn: পাইনাস হেলিপ্যানসিস
Bg: Алепски бор
Ca: Pi blanc, Pi bord
Zh: 地中海松, 地中海松 (di zhong hai song)
Hr: Alepski bor
Cs: Borovice halepská
Nl: Aleppoden
Eo: Halepa pino
Et: Aleppo mänd
Fi: Alepponmänty
Fr: Pin blanc de Provence, Pin d’Alep, Pin blanc, Pin de Jérusalem, Pin-d’alep, Pin d’Halep
Gl: Piñeiro carrasco
De: Seekiefer, Aleppokiefer, Aleppo-Kiefer, See-Kiefer, Strand-Kiefer
El: Χαλέπιος πεύκη
He: אורן ירושלים
Hu: Aleppóifenyő, Aleppófenyo
Is: Aleppofura
It: Pino d’Aleppo, Sappino, Pino di Aleppo
Kk: Алеппо қарағайы
Kv: Халебісь пожум
Ko: 알레포소나무
Lt: Alepinė pušis
Mk: Алепски бор
Mt: Prinjoli, Žnuber
Mn: Алэппогийн нарс
No: Aleppofuru
Fa: کاج مدیترانه‌ای
Pl: Sosna alepska
Pt: Pinheiro-de-alepo, Pinheiro-de-jerusalém
Ro: Pin de Alep
Ru: Сосна алеппская, Сосна алеппская (sosna aleppskaya)
Sr: Алепски бор
Es: Pino carrasco, Pino de Alepo, Pinheiro-de-alepo, Piño-de-alepo, Pincarrasco, Pino blanquillo
Sv: Aleppotall
Ta: பைனஸ் மரம்
Tr: Halep çamı
Cy: Pinwydden Halab

Synonyms

• Pinus halepensis var. genuensis ((J.Cook) Antoine)
• Pinus genuensis (J.Cook)
• Pinus paroliniana (Webb ex Carrière)
• Pinus arabica (Sieber ex Spreng.)
• Pinus halepensis var. ceciliae ((Llorens & L.Llorens) L.Llorens ex Rosselló, Cubas & N.Torres)
• Pinus hispanica (J.Cook)
• Pinus hierosolimitana (Duhamel)
• Pinus parolinii (Vis.)
• Pinus saportae (Rouy)
• Pinus ceciliae (Llorens & L.Llorens)
• Pinus abasica (Carrière)
• Pinus abchasica (Carrière)
• Pinus halepensis var. minor (Antoine)
• Pinus halepensis subsp. ceciliae ((Llorens & L.Llorens) Silba)
• Pinus loiseleuriana (Carrière)
• Pinus carica (D.Don)
• Pinus halepensis var. carica ((D.Don) Carrière)
• Pinus halepensis var. pendula (P.P.Ferrer & R.Ferrer)
• Pinus colchica (Booth ex Gordon & Glend.)
• Pinus penicillus (Lapeyr.)
• Pinus halepensis var. abasica ((Carrière) Carrière)
• Pinus pseudohalepensis (Denhardt ex Carrière)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by buran21 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 26, 2017 by Mario Cman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2017 by Mario Cman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Michele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2017 by Mario Cman (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 9, 2019 by Gallardo David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Orrios Dorda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2020 by Roberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by buran21 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2019 by Pedro González (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 2, 2021 by jp behr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − User:Vikoula5/Credits-photos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Concha Tormo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 5, 2018 by Adrien Jacquey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Marie-Line VIART (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2020 by florantique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2016 by Jardin Botanique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by buran21 (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 25, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2020 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2018 by Mattia Imperatore (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285604)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262982-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus halepensis Mill.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 4