Pinus radiata

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Plant
ID 253 Pinus radiata
Botanic Name Pinus radiata
Common Name Monterey Pine, Radiata Pine
Family Name Pinaceae
Cultivars 'Aurea'
Origin North America, California, 1833, Zone 8-10
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Furrowed
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 250
Growth Habit Conical / Pyramidal Growth Rate Fast
Height 20 - 35 m (67 - 117 ft) Spread 5 m (17 ft)
Plant Overview
This quick growing long living coniferous tree has an erect trunk with dark ridged bark and horizontal branches that form a conical to columnar habit. It has dark green needle-like leaves and produces bright yellow male flowers in spring followed by cones.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The 150 mm (6 in) long dark green linear leaves are needle-like in bundles of 3 and are arranged around the stem, radiate away from the branches.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 100 - 150 mm ( 3.9 - 5.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Strobilus
This tree produces bright yellow erect cone-like male strobili that release large quantities of golden and pollen. The dark purple-red female cones are up to 25 mm (1 in) long and appearing small clusters of 2 - 5 during spring.
Inflorescence
Colour
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Cone Additional Information
Colour Light grey
The cone is conic-ovoid and persistent on the tree for many years up to 30 years before releasing the seeds. It is woody and measures 150 x 100 mm (5 x 4 in) appearing singularly or in whorls of three and tends to develop more on one side.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 100 - 150 mm ( 3.9 - 5.9 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moderately fertile sandy -stony to clay loam, pH 4.5-7.5
Container Not normally, Christmas tree use, bonsai specimen
Climate Warm temperate
Aspect Full sun, open position, frost and drought tolerant, heat and smog tolerant
Pest & Diseases Budworm, aphids, sawfly larva, honey fungus, pine shoot moth, rust
Fertiliser Add organic matter to the soil, mulch from winter to summer and keep moist during establishment
Pruning Train to a single leader when young, remove unwanted branches as required
Cultural Uses Propagation
Radiata Pine is grown as a specimen in large gardens or in plantations for its timber and as a cut Christmas tree when young. It is fast growing establishing in 2 to 4 years and is suitable for coastal regions tolerating salt spray.
Sow fresh seed during spring and in cold climates in pots then place in a cold frame. This tree is also grown using tissue culture.
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