Canary Island pine Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Pinus canariensis Canary Island pine

Canary Island pines in Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pinus
Species:	canariensis

The Canary Island pine (scientific name: Pinus canariensis) is a special type of conifer tree. It is a large evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its needles all year round. This tree naturally grows only on the Canary Islands, which are islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

What is the Canary Island Pine?
- Pine Family and Relatives
Where Do Canary Island Pines Grow?
How Does the Pine Survive Fires?
What Are Canary Island Pines Used For?
In Culture
Gallery
See also

What is the Canary Island Pine?

The Canary Island pine is a very tall evergreen tree. It can grow to be about 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 feet) tall. Some even reach 60 meters (200 feet)! Its trunk can be very wide, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) across.

The tree's leaves are like long needles. They are green or yellowish-green. These needles grow in groups of three and can be 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) long. They often hang downwards.

A cool thing about these pines is their special shoots. These are called epicormic shoots. They are bluish-green and grow from the lower part of the trunk. They usually appear after a fire or other damage.

The tree also produces cones. These cones are 10 to 18 centimeters (4 to 7 inches) long. They are a shiny chestnut-brown color. Many times, these cones stay closed for several years. This helps protect the seeds inside.

Pine Family and Relatives

The Canary Island pine belongs to the Pinaceae family. This is the same family as many other pine trees. Its closest relatives include the chir pine from the Himalayas. It is also related to other Mediterranean pines. These include the stone pine and the Aleppo pine.

Where Do Canary Island Pines Grow?

This pine tree is native only to the outer Canary Islands. These islands are Gran Canaria, Tenerife, El Hierro, and La Palma. It is a subtropical pine. This means it likes warm weather. It cannot handle very cold temperatures or hard frost. It can survive temperatures down to about -6 to -10 degrees Celsius (14 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Canary Island pine can grow in places with very different amounts of rain. Some areas get less than 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rain a year. Other areas get much more. This is because the tree's needles are very good at catching mist from the air. This mist adds to the water supply.

This tree is also very good at living with little water. It is one of the most drought-tolerant pines. It can even live with less than 200 millimeters (8 inches) of rain per year.

Sadly, some of the original forests were cut down a long time ago. So, only the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria still have large forests. Very old, big trees are rare because of this past cutting. It is the tallest tree found in the Canary Islands.

How Does the Pine Survive Fires?

The Canary Island pine is one of the most fire-resistant conifer trees in the world. It has special ways to survive fires. This is very important because forest fires can happen often in its natural home.

What Are Canary Island Pines Used For?

The very long needles of this tree are super important for the islands' water. They trap a lot of moisture from the misty air. This air comes from the Atlantic Ocean. The trapped water then drips to the ground. The soil quickly soaks it up. This water eventually goes into underground water sources. This helps keep the islands supplied with fresh water.

The wood of the Canary Island pine smells nice. It is also very strong and lasts a long time. Because of this, it is considered one of the best pine woods.

People also plant this tree in other warm places. It has become a common tree in mainland Spain, South Africa, Sicily, and Australia. It is often used as an ornamental tree. You can see it in gardens, parks, and along streets. For example, it is a popular street tree in California.