Pinus brutia (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Mid to late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 35m
Eventual Spread: 30m
Hardiness: 7b – 10b
Family: Pinaceae
Pinus brutia is an evergreen coniferious tree with an open crown and irregular branches. Its bright green leaves are in the form of needles, appear in pairs, up to 18cm long and 1mm thick. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m. Its bark is orange/ red, fissured and flaky. Its flowers are in the form of pollen cones. Its fruit are cones, initially green, maturing to brown tak up to 3 years to mature and are up to 11cm long and 5 cm broad.
Pinus brutia Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Pinus brutia, commonly known as the Turkish Pine, Calabrian Pine and Brutia Pine, is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. In its native habitat it grows from sea level to 1300m. This tree is one of the most important timber tree in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is the old classical name for ‘Pine tree’. Brutia is named after the ancient city of Bruttium (now Calabria), where this species was first recorded.
Pinus brutia Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Pinus brutia useful as an ornamental Pine tree for hot dry locations. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It is also tolerant of high temperatures.
Ecologically, Pinus brutia seeds are attractive to some birds.
Pinus brutia prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. This tree is tolerant of poor soils.
Pinus brutia Cone (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Pinus brutia requires little maintenance.
