Pinus halepensis Mill. Aleppo Pine
A native of south Europe from Spain around the Mediterranean to Asia Minor. It is particularly common on drier soils on mountains and by the coast. Its wood has little value, but the resin yields oil of turpentine and is also used in making the Greek wine, retsina. Height to about 15m (50ft) though may be taller. Flowers open in May, females about 1cm (2/5in) long. Cones are about 7.5cm (3in) long, usually borne in pairs or threes and persist on the branches for several years. Needles are in pairs, growth buds are free of resin and have scales curving back. Z8.