Q. I want to plant pine
trees like I saw at the Hughes Center near Sands and Paradise. They have
foliage near the ends of the branches and have a round shape rather than
conical or a Christmas tree shape but I don’t know what they are.
 |
| Elderica or Mondel pine With its Christmas tree like shape |
A. They might be attractive
when they’re small, but most pine trees are large when mature, don’t fit in
small to medium-sized landscapes and are not compatible (design-wise) with one
to two-story homes. They might be fine for commercial landscapes and parks but
not around homes on small residential lots in the desert.
when they’re small, but most pine trees are large when mature, don’t fit in
small to medium-sized landscapes and are not compatible (design-wise) with one
to two-story homes. They might be fine for commercial landscapes and parks but
not around homes on small residential lots in the desert.
 |
| Aleppo pine in its youth |
I think the trees you saw were still relatively young, 20
years or less, planted too close together and not given enough water. This is
why they were round in shape with needles only at the ends of the branches.
years or less, planted too close together and not given enough water. This is
why they were round in shape with needles only at the ends of the branches.
Pine tree availability at nurseries is somewhat limited
compared to other parts of the country. I believe the pine tree you saw that
interests you is an older Mondel or Afghan pine which becomes rounded as it
matures and attains a height of 40+ feet.
compared to other parts of the country. I believe the pine tree you saw that
interests you is an older Mondel or Afghan pine which becomes rounded as it
matures and attains a height of 40+ feet.
 |
| Aleppo pine at maturity near parking lot |
Another commonly sold pine here is Aleppo which resembles
Mondel pine in its youth. Both trees when younger are pyramidal or Christmas
tree-like in shape. Mondel becomes more rounded with age and Aleppo pine
becomes “gangly” and informal in shape. Aleppo pine can reach heights of 60 to
70 feet.
Mondel pine in its youth. Both trees when younger are pyramidal or Christmas
tree-like in shape. Mondel becomes more rounded with age and Aleppo pine
becomes “gangly” and informal in shape. Aleppo pine can reach heights of 60 to
70 feet.
 |
| Japanese black pine with its very distinctive silhouette |
A third large pine planted here in the 1980s and making a
comeback now is Chir or long-needled pine. It is a very graceful, pyramidal
pine less tolerant of cold winter temperatures. All three of these large pine
trees should not be used in small residential landscapes particularly with
single-story homes.
comeback now is Chir or long-needled pine. It is a very graceful, pyramidal
pine less tolerant of cold winter temperatures. All three of these large pine
trees should not be used in small residential landscapes particularly with
single-story homes.
 |
| Chir pine Which used to be called Pinus longifolia and you can see why because of its long needles. This pine tree fell out of disfavor during extremely cold winter where many of them were severely damaged or outright killed. It’s making a comeback and a beautiful distinctive pine. |
So-called “smaller pines” may not actually be smaller
when mature. Italian stone pine, a pine tree with a rounded shape all through
its life, is a slow growing pine that may be acceptable in smaller residential landscapes
for a number of years. However, it can reach 50 feet when mature. It can also
provide edible pine nuts, the chef’s pignoli.
when mature. Italian stone pine, a pine tree with a rounded shape all through
its life, is a slow growing pine that may be acceptable in smaller residential landscapes
for a number of years. However, it can reach 50 feet when mature. It can also
provide edible pine nuts, the chef’s pignoli.
Our state tree, single leaf pinion pine, would be a good
choice for desert landscapes if you could find it. But it to can be large as
well, 50 feet or more, when irrigated and given time. It also produces edible
pine nuts.
choice for desert landscapes if you could find it. But it to can be large as
well, 50 feet or more, when irrigated and given time. It also produces edible
pine nuts.
A pine tree popular with landscapers and architects over
the years is the very distinctive Japanese black pine. It has been touted to be
tolerant of alkaline soil but is a “specimen” pine with a unique shape that
makes it popular in “designer landscapes”.
the years is the very distinctive Japanese black pine. It has been touted to be
tolerant of alkaline soil but is a “specimen” pine with a unique shape that
makes it popular in “designer landscapes”.
However, I have never
seen a Japanese black pine perform well here in our climate and soils. You see
it used further north in arid states. further north in aired states You don’t
find many older ones around town which may speak volumes about how well it is
suited for our location.