Conifers
Pines - Pinaceae
Monterey Pine Pinus radiataIntroduced from western North America. Planted in shelter belts and as salt-tolerant windbreaks. A broad-headed species, with a wide crown and a trunk that often branches from low down. Leaves long, 12-25cm, in threes, fine and pliant, bright green. Cones medium to large, 7-14cm, strongly asymmetrical and very persistent on older branches. Mature bark craggy, shallowly fissured, reddish brown. Old, fallen leaves are persistent and often form a thick matt on the ground beneath the tree.
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Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta
Introduced from western North America. Occasionally found in shelter belts and windbreaks, especially on St Mary's. A rather narrow, upright species, with a straight trunk. Leaves short to medium, 3-8.5cm, in pairs, stiff and usually twisted. Cones small to medium, 3-6cm, usually asymmetrical and slightly curved, the upper cone scales tending to open more widely than the lower ones, very persistent on older branches. Young cones are armed with sharp prickles, but these wear off on older cones. Mature bark rough and shallowly fissured. Winter buds thickly coated in waxy resin.
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Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster
Introduced from southern Europe. Recorded from St Mary's and St Agnes but apparently in need of confirmation and included here to aid identification. A stout species, typically with a spreading crown and a trunk that often leans rather than growing upright. Leaves very long, 15-20cm, paired, stiff, curved and diverging, mid green. Cones medium to large, 8-22cm, rich red-brown when young and persistent on older branches. Mature bark rugged, deeply fissured and with mahogany tones.
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Cypress Famliy - Cupressaceae
Monterey Cypress Hesperocyparis macrocarpa(Cupressus macrocarpa ) Introduced from western North America. Planted on the inhabited islands as shelterbelts and windbreaks, especially near the coast due to its salt tolerance. A variable tree that may be single-trunked or multi-stemmed. Foliage dense and dark, with leaves not flattened but producing spreading, three-dimensional sprays. Female cones cylindrical, dark brown, 20-35mm, in clusters held close to the branches. Bark light grey-brown.
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