Aleppo pine

This Mediterranean pine is named after Aleppo, because it was from there that it was described for science in the 18th century.

The Aleppo pine is a medium-sized tree with an irregular, open crown, silvery-grey bark and thin, light green needles. Its cones can stay closed on the branches for years and open only after a fire. It is one of the most drought-resistant pines in the world and grows well on poor limestone soils. Its resin was tapped for turpentine and used to flavour Greek retsina wine.

Significance in the country

The species name halepensis comes from Aleppo (Halab), from where specimens reached European botanists. In Syria this pine is planted on a large scale to reforest hills and around towns, because it tolerates dry summers well.

Where it grows

It grows naturally on the lower slopes of the Coastal Mountains (Latakia, Tartus); widely planted in reforestation schemes in western Syria, including around Idlib, Hama, Homs and Damascus.

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