This quick growing long living coniferous tree has an erect trunk with dark ridged bark and horizontal branches that form a conical to columnar habit. It has dark green needle-like leaves and produces bright yellow male flowers in spring followed by cones.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Pinus radiatais naturally found in North America growing in Monterey, California in coastal and mountain habitats in well-drained moderately fertile soils. It prefers an open sunny position and is frost and drought tolerant.

Radiata Pine is grown as a specimen in large gardens or in plantations for its timber and as a cut Christmas tree when young. It is fast growing establishing in 2 to 4 years and is suitable for coastal regions tolerating salt spray but mature trees may topple in strong winds. ID 253

Note:
A feature ofPinus radiatais its fast growth and its large size makes it the most important timber tree throughout the world. It grows during winter and summer with a girth of 2m (6ft) an annual growth shoot varies from 2m (6ft) to 6m (20ft). In New Zealand it has reached a mature hight of 60m (200ft). The bark is rugged with fissures and was introduced to Australia in 1833.

Pinus (PY-nus) radiata (ră-dee-AH-ta)

'Pinus': Latin name for the pine; 'radiata': rayed (refers to the way the leaves radiate away from the branches).

Pinaceae(py-NAY-see-ee)
Larches, spruces, pines, firs, hemlocks and cedars