Pinus halepensis, commonly known as theAleppo pine, also known as theJerusalem pine,^[2] is apine native to theMediterranean region. It was officially named by the botanistPhilip Miller in his 1768 bookThe Gardener's Dictionary; he probably never went to Aleppo but mentions seeing large specimens at Goodwood in the garden of theDuke of Richmond, which were transplanted (perhaps sent byAlexander Russell from Syria) in 1739.^[3]

Pinus halepensis
Pinus halepensis inSounion Natural Park,Greece
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Pinaceae
Genus:	Pinus
Subgenus:	P. subg.Pinus
Section:	P.sect. Pinus
Subsection:	Pinus subsect.Pinaster
Species:	P. halepensis
Binomial name
Pinus halepensis Mill.
Distribution map

Pinus halepensis is a small to medium-sizedtree, 15–25 metres (49–82 feet) tall, with atrunk diameter up to 60 centimetres (24 inches), exceptionally up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in). Thebark is orange-red, thick, and deeply fissured at the base of the trunk, and thin and flaky in the upper crown. Theleaves ('needles') are very slender, 6–12 cm (2+1⁄4–4+3⁄4 in) long, distinctly yellowish green, and produced in pairs (rarely a few in threes). Thecones are narrow conic,5–12 cm (2–4+3⁄4 in) long and2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) broad at the base when closed, green at first, ripening glossy red-brown when 24 months old. They open slowly over the next few years, a process quickened if they are exposed to heat such as inforest fires. The cones open5–8 cm (2–3+1⁄4 in) wide to allow the seeds to disperse. The seeds are5–6 millimetres (3⁄16–1⁄4 in) long, with a20 mm (13⁄16 in) wing, and are wind-dispersed.^[4][5][6]

The Aleppo pine is closely related to theTurkish pine,Canary Island pine, andmaritime pine, which all share many of its characteristics. Some authors include the Turkish pine as a subspecies of the Aleppo pine, asPinus halepensis subsp.brutia (Ten.) Holmboe,^[7] but it is usually regarded as a distinct species.^[4][5][6][8] It is a relatively nonvariable species, in that its morphological characteristics stay constant over the entire range.^[4]

The native range ofPinus halepensis extends fromMorocco,Algeria,Tunisia, andSpain north to southernFrance,Malta,Italy,Croatia,Montenegro, andAlbania, and east toGreece. It has been introduced into many parts of the world, includingPortugal. There is an outlying population (from which it was first described) inSyria,Lebanon, southernTurkey,Jordan,Israel andPalestine.

The species is generally found at low altitudes, mostly from sea level to 200 m (660 ft), but can grow above 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in southern and eastern Spain, well over 1,200 m (3,900 ft) onCrete, and up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in the south, in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.^[4][5]The tree is able to quickly colonize open and disturbed areas. It is classed as an invasive species in South Africa.^[9] It can grow on all substrates and almost in all bioclimates in the Mediterranean.^[10]

Pinus halepensis is a diagnostic species of the vegetation classPinetea halepensis.^[11]

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  Cones
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  Pinus halepensis, Afhir Forest inTlemcen.
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  Foliage
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  A grove of Aleppo pines inPinet
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  Pinus halepensis forest at the island ofMljet
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  Bark and trunk
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  Plate from Lambert'sDescription of the Genus Pinus
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  Cone of pinus halepensis inHebron
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  A dead Aleppo pine in front of theÉtang de Thau

The resin of the Aleppo pine is used to flavor the Greek wineretsina.

From the pine nuts of the Aleppo pine is made a pudding calledasidet zgougou in the Tunisian dialect; it is served in bowls, covered with cream, and topped with almonds and small candies.

The Maltese dessertprinjolata is also prepared using these pine nuts, both in its filling as well as a topping.

Aleppo pine are used forbonsai.

In its native area,P. halepensis is widely planted for its fine timber, making it one of the most importantforestry trees in Algeria and Morocco.^[6]

InIsrael, natural patches of Aleppo pine forests can be found in theCarmel andGalilee regions.^[12] The Aleppo pine, along withPinus brutia, has been planted extensively by theJewish National Fund. It proved very successful inYatir Forest in the northernNegev (on the edge of the desert), where foresters had not expected it to survive.Many Aleppo pine forests exist today in Israel and are used for recreational purposes. Although it is a local species, some argue that the historical replacement of natural oakmaquis shrubland andgarrigue with tall stands of pine has created "ecological deserts" and has significantly changed the species assemblage of these regions.^[13] The species produces timber which is valued for its hardness, density and unproblematic seasoning. Seasoned timber is inclined to tear out with planing, but this can be avoided by using sharp blades or adjusting the sharpening angle of tools.^[14]

The Aleppo pine is considered aninvasive species though useful inSouth Africa; inSouth Australia, a control program is in place onEyre Peninsula.

Pinus halepensis is a popularornamental tree, extensively planted in gardens, parks, and private and agency landscapes in hot dry areas such asSouthern California and theKaroo inSouth Africa, where the Aleppo pine's considerable heat anddrought tolerance, fast growth, and aesthetic qualities are highly valued.

Paul Cézanne had an Aleppo pine in his garden atAix-en-Provence; this tree was the inspiration and model for his paintingThe Big Trees. As of 2005, the tree is still growing in Cézanne's garden.^[15]

The Aleppo pine is associated with ANZAC Day and the ANZACs in Australia due to its use by soldiers in the Battle of Lone Pine during the Gallipoli campaign. It is often planted at war memorials.

• Gymnosperm Database:Pinus halepensis
• Pinus halepensis—distribution map, genetic conservation units and related resources.European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)