Pinus canariensis, the Canary Island pine, is a species of gymnosperm in the conifer family Pinaceae. It is a large, evergreen tree native and endemic to the outer Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a subtropical pine and does not tolerate lowtemperatures or hard frost, surviving temperatures down to about −6 to −10 °C. Within its natural area, it grows under extremely variable rainfall regimes, from less than to several thousands, mostly due to differences in mist-capturing by the foliage. Under warm conditions, this is one of the most drought-tolerant pines, living even with less than of rainfall per year. It is the vegetable symbol of the island of La Palma.
Pinus canariensis is a large evergreentree, growing to tall and trunk diameter, exceptionally up to tall and diameter. The green to yellow-green leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, 20–30 cm long, with finely toothed margins and often drooping. A characteristic of the species is the occurrence of glaucous epicormic shoots growing from the lower trunk, but in its natural area this only occurs as a consequence of fire or other damage. This pine is one of the most fire-resistant conifers in the world. The cones are long, wide, glossy chestnut-brown in colour and frequently remaining closed for several years. Its closest relatives are the Chir Pine from the Himalaya, the Mediterranean pines Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster and Pinus brutia from the eastern Mediterranean.
The tree's extremely long needles make a significant contribution to the islands' water supply, trapping large amounts of condensation from the moist air coming off the Atlantic with the prevailing north eastern wind. The condensation then drops to the ground and is quickly absorbed by the soil, eventually percolating down to the underground aquifers. The aromatic wood, especially the heartwood, is among the finest of pine woods - hard, strong and durable. In mainland Spain, South Africa, Sicily and Australia, it has become a naturalized species from original landscape uses. Pinus canariensis is a popular ornamental tree in warmer climates, such as in private gardens, public landscapes, and as street trees in California.
