Canary Islands Trees

The Canary Pine - Pinus canariensis

The Canary Pine - Pinus canariensis is a large evergreen Canary Islands tree, growing to 30-45 m tall and 1.5 m trunk diameter, exceptionally up to 60 m tall and 2.5 m diameter. The green to yellow-green leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, 15-30 cm long, with finely toothed margins and often drooping. A characteristic of the species is the occurrence of glaucous (bluish-green) epicormic shoots growing from the lower trunk, but in its natural area this only occurs as a consequence of fire or other damage. In fact, this pine is one of the most fire-resistant conifers in the world. The cones are 10-23 cm long, glossy chestnut-brown in colour, frequently remaining closed for several years (serotinous cones).

The Canary Pine's extremely long needles make a significant contribution to the islands water supply, trapping large amounts of condensation from the moist air coming off the Atlantic with the prevailing westerly wind. The condensation then drops to the ground and is quickly absorbed by the soil, eventually percolating down to the underground aquifers.

The aromatic wood, especially the heartwood, is among the finest of pine woods - hard, strong and durable.

Pinus canariensis is a popular ornamental tree in warmer climates, such as in private gardens, public landscapes, and as street trees in California.

In South Africa and Australia, The Canary Pine has become a naturalized species, escaping from original landscape uses.