Pinus radiata Monterey Pine

Pinus radiata, Monterey Pine, is native and endemic to a small region of Monterey and Cambria in the coastal fog belt of California. It is tolerant of exposed windy conditions and often grows to form a widely branching tree that may be crooked or contorted. It was introduced to Britain in 1833 but is of negligible use in British forestry. It grows well on infertile, sandy soils and some large, well-grown trees can be seen in a short avenue along the sandy track to Whiteford Dunes in Gower. The cones are large (up to 15cm long) and usually remain tightly closed until exposed to the high temperatures of forest fires. It rarely regenerates from seed in Britain.