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(Pinus radiata)
Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)
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Forest and Kim Starr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Forest and Kim Starr
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CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pinus radiata, commonly known as Monterey Pine, is an evergreen tree native to coastal dunes and sandy soils in a small region of coastal central California and the offshore islands of Cedros and Guadalupe in Mexico. It typically grows to 15–30 meters (50–100 feet) tall in the wild, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), but can reach up to 60 meters (200 feet) in cultivation under optimal conditions. The tree has a characteristic open form with upward-pointing branches and a rounded top. Monterey Pine’s needles are bright green, arranged in clusters of three, and its cones are large and heavy, often remaining closed for several years.
Monterey Pine is appreciated for its fast growth rate and adaptability, making it a popular choice for reforestation, timber production, and as a windbreak. Its wood is used for a variety of products, including construction lumber and paper. In garden settings, it is often used as a specimen tree or for screening, and it is particularly favored in coastal areas due to its tolerance to salt spray. While it requires high amounts of water, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. Full sun is ideal, but it can also tolerate part shade. Care should be taken when planting Monterey Pine, as it can be susceptible to pine pitch canker and other diseases, and its roots can be aggressive. It is also known for its potential invasiveness outside its native range, particularly in areas with Mediterranean climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Monterey Pine is appreciated for its fast growth rate and adaptability, making it a popular choice for reforestation, timber production, and as a windbreak. Its wood is used for a variety of products, including construction lumber and paper. In garden settings, it is often used as a specimen tree or for screening, and it is particularly favored in coastal areas due to its tolerance to salt spray. While it requires high amounts of water, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. Full sun is ideal, but it can also tolerate part shade. Care should be taken when planting Monterey Pine, as it can be susceptible to pine pitch canker and other diseases, and its roots can be aggressive. It is also known for its potential invasiveness outside its native range, particularly in areas with Mediterranean climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 50-100 feet
- Width: 16-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Coastal dunes and sandy soils
Other Names
Common Names: Insignis Pine , Radiata Pine , Wilding Pine , Radiataden , Monterey-Kiefer , Pino Quebradizo , Pino Insigne , Montereytall
Scientific Names: Pinus radiata , Pinus californica , Pinus adunca , Pinus californiana , Pinus montereyensis
GBIF Accepted Name: Pinus radiata D.Don