Pinus radiata

Pinus radiata (Family Pinaceae), known as Monterey pine in some parts of the world and Radiata pine in others, is a species of pine tree native to coastal California and (as the variety Pinus radiata var. binata) on the islands of Guadalupe and Cedros off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. It is also extensively cultivated in many other parts of the world. It is fast-growing and adaptable to a broad range of soil types and climates, though does not tolerate temperatures below about -15°C.

P. radiata grows to between 40-60 m in height, with upward pointing branches and a rounded top. The leaves ('needles') are bright green, in clusters of three (two in var. binata), slender, 8-15 cm long and with a blunt tip. The cones are 7-17 cm, brown, egg-shaped (ovoid), and usually set asymetrically on a branch, attached at an oblique angle. The bark is fissured and dark grey to brown. In a good situation, P. radiata can reach its full height in twenty years or less. It is a fast-growing tree which makes it ideal for forestry.

P. radiata was first introduced into New Zealand in the 1850s; today, over 90% of the country's plantation forests are of this species. This includes the Kaingaroa Forest on the central plateau of the North Island which is the largest planted forest in the world. Australia also has massive Radiata Pine plantations; so much so that many Australians are concerned by the resulting loss of native wildlife habitat. A few native animals, however, thrive on P. radiata, notably the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo which, although deprived of much of its natural diet by massive habitat alteration, feeds on P. radiata seeds.