Pines in Tenerife. The Canarian pine is endemic with superpowers. Unique wood species

on the world map, find the town of Vilaflor there.

One of the routes passes through it. National park to the volcano itself. Vilaflor is considered the highest mountain settlement not only in the Canaries, but throughout Spain and it is located at an altitude of one thousand four hundred meters above sea level. The town was founded in the sixteenth century and is famous for its purest air and water.

Healing clean air is here not only because it is highlands, but also because there are pines all around, amazing trees world - Canarian pines with unusually long needles. The local forest area is the largest in area in the Canary Islands. On the outskirts of Vilaflor, you can admire and take pictures from one of the island's two most unique pines: Pino Gordo. "In terms of height" the pine tree can be compared with a multi-storey building (height 46 m, trunk circumference 11.4 m), and only eight adults holding hands can grasp it. From the observation deck (miradora) near the Pino Gordo pine, a beautiful view opens up and then from here you can go to the next, very famous attraction in Tenerife -.

(Pinus canariensis) is a species of trees from the Pine family (Pinaceae). It grows naturally on the west coast of Africa. It is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it forms a huge belt coniferous forests, which grow on the leeward side of the islands of La Palma, Tenerife, Hierro, Gran Canaria. It can take root and grow on volcanic lava, and is also particularly durable. It grows back from the roots after the tree has been cut or burned. The growth rate is average.

It is a medium-sized tree up to 25-35 m in height. The most tall pine grows on about Tenerife, its height reaches 60 m and 3 m in diameter at the base. Canary pine has a pyramidal or narrow conical crown when young and broader when mature. Shoots are thick, 7-15 mm thick, yellow- Brown. The root system is deep, well branched.

Trunk upright, branched, with reddish-brown, fissured, scaly, very thick bark, which peels off in separate plates.

Needles bluish in young trees and green shiny in more mature ones, up to 30 cm in length, collected in bunches of 3 needles, up to 1 mm thick, sometimes drooping, with small denticles along the ribs. Moisture accumulates at the tips of the needles, thanks to which, nearby plants do not suffer from drought. The needles remain on the tree for 1-3 years.

The plant is monoecious. Male flowers are yellowish-orange.

cones greenish red in young age, in a more mature one - brown, located singly, rarely in two, broadly ovoid, 9-20x9-12 cm, brown. The scutes are rhombic, their width exceeds their height, the surface is more or less flat. Inside the cones are obovate winged seeds, 12-25 mm long. The wing is poorly separated from the seeds.

Frost resistance zone 9. Drought tolerant.

Location: solar open spaces. Prefers deep, well-drained soil. On chalky soils it is affected by chlorosis. It is recommended to grow in places with a mild climate or as a tub plant. It can grow on volcanic lava, in valleys, mountains and coasts.

Landing: the depth of the landing pit is 0.8-1 m. The root collar must be placed at ground level. It tolerates transplant well.

Care: needs moderate watering and sanitary pruning. Demanding on air humidity.

Reproduction: propagated by seeds, which are sown in the ground in early spring. Seeds must first be stratified within a month.

Usage: very decorative. It is used in forest plantations, parks, and also as a tapeworm. Wood is used in construction and for the manufacture of various crafts.

Many tourists come to south airport Tenerife ( Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur) and on the way to the hotel they observe a sad picture - a desert with sparse vegetation in the form of lonely cactus bushes sticking out on the stones. The arid south was chosen as the site of the largest tourist center on the island due to the climate. It is warmer here, less rain, calm ocean.
In fact, the Canary Islands are of great interest to many botanists. There are about 2 thousand plant species here, of which 514 are plants found only in this archipelago.

On the northern shores, at an altitude of 1200 m, laurisilva is replaced by pine groves, and on the southern shores, rarer pine forests grow at an altitude of more than 500 m in a dry Mediterranean climate. (3718 m) and amazing flora make up one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canaries - national park Teide ( Parque National del Teide). Feels good here on the frozen lava canarian pine (Pinus canariensis) is an endemic of the Canary Islands, where at an altitude of 1200-2000 meters above sea level it forms a belt of coniferous forests located on the leeward side of the island of Tenerife. The Canary pine reaches about 25-35 meters in height, it has an upright branched trunk with a yellowish bark, the crown is more often pyramidal in shape, making it look like a spruce.

The bluish needles of young trees and green shiny ones in adults - Canary differs from all other pines in the world by the exceptional length of the needles (Spanish. pinocho, pinocha, pinillo, base), which can reach 30 centimeters, and the fact that not two, but three needles are attached to the bosom. Moisture condensing on the needles moistens the soil under the trees, so that in natural forest under these pines, other plants also grow well, almost without suffering from lack of water. Tall, slender pines rest their crowns on the clouds, moisture easily condenses on their needles, then it flows down them and moistens the earth. Cones solitary or in pairs, sessile or pedunculated, up to 2 cm long, broadly ovate, 9-20 x 9-12 cm, shiny, brown. The scutellum is rhombic, its width exceeds its height, with a more or less flat surface. Seeds are obovate, with a wing 12-25 mm long.

This pine has not only adapted to life on anhydrous volcanic lava, in addition, it is easily restored after fires that are detrimental to all other vegetation. It happens that only one burnt trunk remains from a tree, but soon the first green shoots will appear on it, and in a few years it will hardly remind you of the raging fire. Their wood is very strong and refractory, so it is a valuable building and ornamental material.
The largest Canarian pine in the world ( Pino Gordo) is located on the island of Tenerife, its height is 45.12 meters, the circumference of the trunk is 9.36 meters and the thickness is 2.66 meters.

Unique Canarian pines:
Tenerife: Pino Gordo(Vilaflor), El Pino Derrengado(Arico) Pino de Buen Paso(Icod de los Vinos).
La Palma: Pino de la Virgen(El Paso).
Gran Canaria: Pino de la Bruja Casandra(Tejeda).

Good afternoon, dear readers! Let's take a break from the holidays and useful information and tell you about the features of the island of Tenerife. Here you can find many things that you will not find anywhere else. Starting from the unique Canarian flavor and ending with rare plants- endemic, found only in the Canary Islands. We will return to color and the Spaniards, but now let's talk about pine forests Tenerife, how they differ from the usual ones and why the Canarians protect them so much.

Pine, Canarian pine

Arriving in Tenerife, on one of the first days on the island, we went for a picnic. More details about this were written in. In addition to the picnic areas, smartly equipped and made for people, I was struck by the forest. There is no dense undergrowth in it, the ground is covered with a soft layer of needles, the pines are all straight, tall, like spruce.

Can you imagine a tree growing out of stone? This can be seen here. canary pines(lat. Pinus canariensis) can take root on volcanic lava and still feel great - this is one of their features.

As mentioned above, the Canarian pine is considered endemic. You have already encountered this concept in previous articles and will meet it more than once in new ones. It means that the plant has a limited area of ​​\u200b\u200bgrowth. For the Canarian pine, these are the islands,. Only here, at altitudes of 1200–2000 meters above sea level, are ideal conditions for the growth of this type of tree.

The forest evoked in me a feeling of peace and comfort; in this feeling all my sorrows disappeared, unpleasant things were forgotten ... Maxim Gorky

The features of the Canarian pines do not end there: they are incredibly drought-resistant, the wood is refractory, very strong, and the trees are easily restored after fires. All these qualities make the Canarian pine valuable. building material, but its felling has long been banned and is punishable by a large fine or even a prison term. Why is everything so serious?

The answer lies in another unique property of trees: moisture condensation. The Canarian pine has very long needles (up to 30 cm) and moisture from the clouds condenses on these needles. Trees then release moisture through their root systems and moisten the soil for themselves and other plants.

But the point is not so much in moistening the soil, but in the fact that the water accumulating in the soil enters natural and artificial reservoirs through underground channels. This is how the Canary pines create the only spring on the island fresh water(except for rain), and the locals call them the island's drinkers.

The highest in the world

Usually the Canarian pine grows up to 35 meters in height, but Tenerife is a unique island and boasts a unique pine tree! Its height is about 60 meters, the thickness at the base of the trunk is about three meters and it is considered to be the tallest Canarian pine in the world.

The Canarians made it another attraction and equipped an observation deck near the pine tree. On it we met enterprising merchants of souvenirs, however, not very cheap ones.

From the entertainment at the largest Canarian pine - a photo of the whole family clasping the trunk of a tree. There is also a small hollow at the base of the trunk, into which the most daring can stick their hand. There is even some belief that you need to make a wish, put a coin there and it will come true - it's almost like throwing a coin into a fountain.

It is not worth planning a separate excursion for the sake of a large pine tree, but if you are by car, you can plan a stop near it during your visit. By the way, you can “slip through” it and not notice it if you are inattentive, so at the entrance, look in the middle of the forest for that one - the big one, it will be right side, if you drive from the village of Vilaflor along the TF-21 road towards Teide ().

That's how much amazing Tenerife is fraught with! We recommend that you definitely go on a picnic, breathe in the crystal clear air and see with your own eyes how the Canarian pines differ from the ordinary, more familiar to us.

Come visit, write comments and share your impressions of the rest!

¡Adios, amigos!

The pride of the sunny island of Tenerife in Spain is the Canarian pine Pina Gordo. Its difference is that it belongs to the variety of trees that grow exclusively in the Canary Islands.

Description

The tree is located on the frozen lava. The Canarian pine is endemic to the Canary Islands. At altitudes of 1200-2000 meters above sea level, a belt of coniferous forests was formed, which are located on the leeward side of the island.
The diameter of the Canarian pine is 3.16 meters. The height reaches up to 60 meters. This is the most big pine on the Canary Islands. Especially for tourists, an observation deck was built next to the tree. Scientists have calculated that the age of the pine is several hundred thousand years. However, this fact has not yet been proven.
Due to its size and age, the pine attracts many tourists from all over the world. People come here to admire the "wonder" of nature.
The bark of the tree has a pyramidal shape, which makes it as similar as possible to spruce.
The tree is located in the city of Viferon and it is considered an important landmark of the city.

Peculiarity

The Canarian pine is so significant that the city authorities decided to depict it on the flag and coat of arms of Viferon. When tourists decide to spend their holidays in Tenerife, they should definitely visit the city and admire the majestic tree.
coniferous forests adorn the heights of Tenerife. Young trees have bluish needles, while mature trees are shiny green. According to these and other signs, the approximate age of the trees is determined.
From all other pines, the Canary is distinguished by the exceptional length of the needles, which reach up to 30 centimeters. In the sinus, not two, but three needles are attached (one of the main differences). Moisture accumulates on needles, moistens the soil under the trees. Thanks to this, other plants grow well in the forest under these pines. They never need water. Tree cones are sessile on legs up to 20 cm long. They have a brilliant brown color.

What's interestnig

The Canarian pine has managed to adapt to exist on anhydrous volcanic lava. The tree easily recovered after the fires that destroyed most vegetation on the heights of the island.
The story tells that after the fire left only one burnt trunk, very soon the first young shoots appeared on the tree. For several years, the tree has become covered with greenery and there is little that reminds of a fire. This is an amazing pine, it has an invisible power.
Pine wood is strong and fireproof, which is why it is considered a valuable material in construction.