Radiata Pine & Aleppo Pine


Photo: Jackie Miles		Radiata Pine & Aleppo Pine Pinus radiata & Pinus halepensis Trees and Shrubs South Australia Region

	These hardy, large, evergreen trees have been widely planted in Australia as windbreak and timber trees. Radiata Pine, from California, grows to 50 m high and is common in high quality plantation areas. Aleppo Pine, from the Mediterranean, grows to 20 m high and was widely planted as a shade and specimen tree across South Australia. Unfortunately, both species have readily spread into nearby native vegetation. Their large size enables them to dominate all other native plants. The Aleppo Pine is often mistakenly planted in ANZAC memorials instead of the lone pine, Pinus brutia. The Canberra War Memorial sells plants that are guaranteed descendants of the original Gallipoli Lone Pine.

HOW IT SPREADS The winged seeds are contained in woody cones from which they are released when ripe and spread by wind. Cockatoos, which eat the seeds, may also carry the cones several kilometres and spread the seeds at great distance from mother plants. Self-sown young trees are a very common sight near mature trees. Other pine species may also be as invasive.

Please note: It is desirable to replace the pines with native conifers as exotic conifers do not harbour our native birds and small mammals.





Other suggested alternatives are the SA native Slender Cypress Pine (Callitris gracilis) and White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla).

Alternative Plants


Photo: Jackie Miles		Black Cypress Pine Callitris endlicheri Trees and Shrubs

	This native Australian conifer develops into an erect tree to 15 m high with spreading branches. It is drought and frost tolerant.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Black She-oak Allocasuarina littoralis Trees and Shrubs

	An Australian native tree, the Black She-oak will grow very well both inland and in coastal zones. It grows to about 8 m high by 4 m wide. The tiny male flowers turn the whole tree a rusty-red during autumn and are followed by small red female flowers. This is a moderately drought hardy species and can handle very poor soils.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Drooping She-oak Allocasuarina verticillata Trees and Shrubs

	This round-headed, small-tomedium- sized bushy tree from south-eastern Australia will grow to 9 m high. It is tolerant of sandy, dry soils, and coastal salt spray. Although known as a coastal plant, it also grows successfully on heavy clay soils. It is extremely heat-tolerant and once established will grow with minimal additional irrigation.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Leyland Cypress Cupressocyparis leylandii cultivars Trees and Shrubs

	Evergreen, moderately fast-growing coniferous trees that are mainly used for hedging and windbreaks. There are several popular cultivars available including 'Naylors Blue', with blue-gray foliage and 'Castlewellan Gold' which has golden-yellow young foliage that matures to bronze-green with age. Seek advice at your garden centre for the best cultivar for your garden.