Sometimes known as Pallas Pine, after Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811), a Prussian naturalist and scientist who worked extensively on Russian flora, particularly in the Crimean region.

Native to Ukraine (hence ‘Crimean’), with the largest populations in Turkey and smaller ones in Cyprus and parts of Russia. It grows in pure stands and in mixed coniferous stands, for example with Cedar of Lebanon. An unusual specimen tree in north-west European parks and large gardens.

Monoecious.

Tall (40m), usually with a straight stem before branching into multiple upright branches, often likened to ‘organ pipes’. Bark dark, sometimes yellow-flecked. Needles in pairs, grey-green, long (12-16cm), pointing forward, sharp. Cones to 10cm, with knobbly scales, often held several years on the branches.

Grows on a wide range of sites, but prefers full sun. A good choice for urban parks, thanks to its tolerance of air pollution.

A valuable food source for birds and mammals in its natural range.

Like other European Black Pine subspecies, susceptible to honey fungus.

An attractive ‘heavy-looking’ ornamental pine.