Corsican Pine, one of several subspecies of European Black Pine, has proved the most valuable in commercial forestry, its tolerance of dry, sandy soils driving widespread twentieth-century planting. The epithet nigra refers to the dark bark of all subspecies, a useful feature against Scots Pine. Introduced to Britain in 1759 by Philip Miller (1691-1771), Chelsea Physic Garden’s head gardener and author of The Gardener’s Dictionary.

Native to mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, including Corsica, Sicily (slopes of Mount Etna) and the Apennines on the southern Italian mainland.

A subspecies of European Black Pine, alongside Austrian, Crimean and Pyrenean Pines and possibly one disputed variety. A very effective pioneer in its native range. Monoecious, with mature trees producing seed crops every three to five years.

Usually in plantations on dry lowland sites, such as south-east England. Stem usually straight and unforked, to 45m. Bark dark greyish with fissures and scaly plates. Needles in pairs, grey-green, 8-15cm, twisted and flexible. Terminal bud broad with a sudden point. Cones 8cm, grey-brown, scales slightly prickly. Austrian and Crimean Pines differ in habit, needle stiffness and cone form.

Dislikes chalky soils, preferring dry, sandy ground. Young trees establish poorly, being prone to drying out (use cell-grown stock) and frost (avoid cold spots). A pioneer with rapid taproot growth, it can establish fast. Though light-demanding, wide spacing causes heavy branching, and as it does not self-prune readily, this gives knotty, low-grade timber. It grows well with other species, including broadleaves.

Of limited wildlife value, but it provides a seed source for some birds and mammals. Widely planted on heathland in the early-to-mid twentieth century, many such plantations have now been felled without replanting, recognising the scarcity of heathland habitat.

Red-band needle blight seriously affects it, causing severe needle-drop, especially in dense monocultures, so regular heavy thinning is essential. It resists urban pollution and may thrive in a warming climate if pest and pathogen threats are managed.

Widely planted commercially on dry sites for timber, including large plantations in France’s Grand Est and Vosges, and England’s Thetford and New Forests. The timber is used in construction, plywood and telegraph poles; not naturally durable, it is easily treated for outdoor use. Hard to imagine from plantation trees, it also makes an elegant specimen in a sheltered garden or park.