Beach Pine, Lodge Pole Pine, Shore Pine
Pinus contorta

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows to 30 m high and can be 100 cm across the trunk. The trunk is often straight with a little taper. The branches are slender and short. The needles are in bundles of 2. They are 3-7 cm long. They are usually twisted and stiff and have a very sharp point. They do not spread apart and the edges have sharp teeth. The twigs are orange-brown. The seed cones are oval and 3-6 cm long. They are purplish-brown. They are stalkless and at right angles to the branch. They may point slightly backwards. They occur in small clusters at the nodes. The remain on the tree for 10-20 years and remain closed. The scales are thickened at the tips. They have a prickle which curves backwards. The cones open when exposed to the heat from a fire. The seeds are brown and mottled. They have a ridge on one side. They are 3 mm long and with a wing.

There are over 100 species of Pinus.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on a wide range of soils. It can grow in wet depressions. It regenerates after fire. Botanical Gardens Hobart. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Falklands, Faroe Islands, North America, South America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The needles are used to make tea. The soft inner bark can be eaten. The seeds can be eaten. The gum is chewed.

Edible parts

Seeds, wood, bark, gum, shoots, leaves - tea

How it is grown

The cones can remain unopen of the forest floor for many years. The cones open after fire and the seeds then quickly germinate.

Seed production begins after 5-10 years and good crops occur every 1-3 years. Trees can live for 200 years.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pinus murrayana Balf.;