Aleppo Pine Plant Profile

The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) can enhance your landscape if you live in a hot, dry location and have a spacious yard. This Mediterranean native is an evergreen conifer that has adapted to growing in warm, dry conditions. It is sometimes grown as a living Christmas tree.

It is related to fir trees, spruce trees, cedars, hemlocks, and the larches, which are deciduous conifers. The tree's common name, Aleppo pine, comes from the city of the same name in Syria. Another name for this tree is Jerusalem pine.

Able to grow about a foot a year, the tree reaches a full size of anywhere from 30 to 80 feet tall with a similar spread; the ultimate size depending on the growing conditions. It grows in an irregular shape and is best planted during the late summer months of August and September. Unless you have a spacious yard, this tree may potentially become too large and overpower the area. It serves well in parks and commercial plantings.

How to Grow the Aleppo Pine

When the Aleppo pine is purchased as a living Christmas tree, choose a location and dig the hole ahead of time so it is ready when the season is over. Move the tree in and out of the house over a period of time to harden it off and prevent shock before planting it outdoors. If you don't have enough room in your yard, arrange ahead of time to donate it to a local park.

Each leaf bundle (fascicle) contains two or sometimes three needles, and each thin needle is 2 to 4 inches long. As with other pine trees, the Aleppo pine is monoecious, with both male and female flowers on each tree.

The cones are 2 to 5 inches long and oblong, round or egg-shaped. When they first form, they are green. Eventually, they turn brown as they age. The seeds are spread to new areas by wind after the cones mature and open.

Light

Choose a planting site where the tree receives full sun throughout the day. Because it grows into a tall tree, it shades the areas below it. Choose plants for the surrounding area that tolerate some shade. The tree grows rapidly and requires a lot of space.

Soil

This tree can handle a wide range of soil pH levels from acidic to alkaline. It can also grow in a wide range of soils as long as it drains well, although loamy or sandy loam soil best mimics its native area.

Water

The Aleppo pine is able to resist drought, though the needles sometimes turn yellow or drop off. It does best if it receives a few waterings a month, especially during the first year to help the roots grow properly and create a strong structure that can find water in times of need.

Temperature and Humidity

In the U.S., the Aleppo is a popular ornamental tree in hot, dry areas such as the Southwest. The Aleppo's tolerance for heat and drought and its fast growth are highly valued in these areas. In its native Mediterranean area, it is planted for its lumber, which is hard and dense. 

Fertilizer

Rarely will a fertilizer be needed, as applying fertilizer can cause overgrowth of the Aleppo pine.

Propagating the Aleppo Pine

Propagation is usually carried out through seed germination. You can take cuttings from the tree in its early years, though they can be slow to take root and grow.

Pruning

The Aleppo pine tree does not require pruning unless you are taking out a wayward branch or removing parts that are dead, diseased, or damaged. You can control growth and shape to some degree by removing the conifer candles—new growth—when they first appear.

Common Pests/Diseases

Diseases you may encounter with the Aleppo pine include:

• Aleppo pine blight
• Dieback (Gremmeniella abietina)
• Phytophthora
• Pine pitch canker ( Fusarium circinatum)
• Root rot

Pests that attack include:

• Aphids (Aphidoidea Superfamily)
• Bark beetles
• Pine wilt nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
• Spider mites (Tetranychidae Family)