Simon says: “Let’s get to know the Jerusalem Pine!”(Pinus halepensis)🌲

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The Jerusalem Pine!”(Pinus halepensis)

This is one of the trees you’re most likely to spot in Israel’s forests.

Much of Israel’s pine woodland was planted by KKL-JNF over the past century. The Jerusalem Pine is well suited to dry conditions & can grow in relatively poor soils, making it a popular choice for reforestation.

Some of its cones can remain closed on the tree for years, releasing seeds when heat causes them to open. After forest fires, this can help the pine regenerate, especially when the winter rains arrive.

Needles grow in pairs, about 10 cm long, giving the tree its distinctive look
• The female cones point sharply downward- a telltale sign distinguishing it from the Brutia Pine planted alongside it
• Its straight trunk has made it useful for furniture, wine barrels & even paper
• In the 1980s, a pest called the Israeli Matsucoccus scale insect caused mass die-offs, leading KKL to replace many plantings with the more resistant Brutia Pine

🌿 Next time you’re walking through the Carmel or the Judean Hills, take a closer look at the trees around you. There’s more to Israel’s forests than meets the eye!

Want to walk these forests with a guide & try to identify the trees around us?
Contact us to arrange a tour!

👇

📩 imagineisraelenquiries@gmail.com
📲 Phone/WhatsApp: +972 54 2390412
🌐 https://imagineisrael-tours.com/

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