The pride of the sunny island of Tenerife in Spain is the Canarian pine Pina Gordo. Its difference is that it belongs to a type of tree that grows exclusively in the Canary Islands.
Description
The tree was located on solidified lava. Canary pine is endemic to the Canary Islands. At altitudes of 1200-2000 meters above sea level, a belt of coniferous forests formed, which were located on the leeward side of the island.
The diameter of the Canarian pine is 3.16 meters. The height reaches up to 60 meters. This is the largest pine tree in the Canary Islands. An observation deck was built next to the tree especially for tourists. Scientists have calculated that the pine tree is several hundred thousand years old. However, this fact has not yet been proven.
Due to its size and age, pine attracts many tourists from all over the world. People come here to admire the “miracle” of nature.
The bark of the tree has a pyramidal shape, which makes it as similar as possible to spruce.
The tree is located in the city of Viferon and it is considered an important landmark of the city.
Peculiarity
The Canary pine is so significant that the city authorities decided to depict it on the flag and coat of arms of Viferon. When tourists decide to spend their holidays in Tenerife, they should definitely visit the city and admire the majestic tree.
Coniferous forests adorn the heights of Tenerife. Young trees have bluish needles, while mature trees are shiny green. Based on these and other characteristics, the approximate age of the trees is determined.
From all other pine trees, Canary pine differs in the exceptional length of its needles, which reach up to 30 centimeters. Not two, but three needles are attached to the sinus (one of the main differences). Moisture accumulates on the needles, moistening the soil under the trees. Thanks to this, other plants grow well in the forest under these pines. They never need water. The tree cones are sessile on stalks up to 20 cm long. They have a brilliant brown color.
What's interestnig
Canary pine has managed to adapt to exist on anhydrous volcanic lava. The tree easily recovered from the fires that destroyed much of the vegetation on the island's heights.
The story tells that after the fire left only one burnt trunk, very soon the first young shoots appeared on the tree. Over the course of several years, the tree has become covered with greenery and there is little that reminds us of the fire. This is an amazing pine tree, it has invisible strength.
Pine wood is strong and fire-resistant, which is why it is considered a valuable material in construction.
Many tourists fly into Tenerife South Airport ( Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur) and on the way to the hotel they observe a sad picture - a desert with sparse vegetation in the form of lonely cactus bushes sticking out on the rocks. The arid south was chosen as the location for the island's largest tourist center due to its climate. It's warmer here, less rain, calm ocean.
In fact, the Canary Islands are of great interest to many botanists. There are about 2 thousand plant species, of which 514 are plants found only in this archipelago.
On the northern shores, at an altitude of 1200 m, laurisilva gives way to pine groves, and on the southern shores, sparse pine forests grow at an altitude of more than 500 m in a dry Mediterranean climate. (3718 m) and stunning flora make up one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canary Islands - national park Teide ( Parque Nacional del Teide). Here, on the hardened lava, the Canary pine feels good ( Pinus canariensis) - endemic to the Canary Islands, where at altitudes of 1200-2000 meters above sea level it forms a belt of coniferous forests located on the leeward side of the island of Tenerife. Canary pine reaches about 25-35 meters in height, it has an erect, branched trunk with yellowish bark, the crown is often pyramidal in shape, making it look like a spruce.
The bluish needles of young trees and shiny green needles of adults - the Canarian pines differ from all other pines in the world in the exceptional length of their needles (Spanish: pinocho, pinocha, pinillo, base), which can reach 30 centimeters, and the fact that not two, but three needles are attached to the sinus. Moisture condensing on the needles moistens the soil under the trees, due to which natural forest Other plants also grow well under these pines, almost without suffering from the lack of water. Tall slender pines rest their crowns on the clouds; moisture easily condenses on their needles, then it flows down them and moistens the ground. Cones are single or two, sessile or pedunculated, up to 2 cm long, broadly ovate, 9-20 x 9-12 cm, shiny, brown. The scutellum is rhombic, its width exceeds its height, with more or less flat surface. The seeds are obovate, with a wing 12-25 mm long.
This pine has not only adapted to life on anhydrous volcanic lava, in addition, it easily recovers from fires that are destructive to all other vegetation. It happens that only a charred trunk remains of a tree, but soon the first green shoots will appear on it, and after a few years there will be little that will remind you of the raging fire. Their wood is very strong and fire-resistant, so it is a valuable construction and ornamental material.
The biggest canarian pine in the world ( Pino Gordo) is located on the island of Tenerife, its height is 45.12 meters, its trunk circumference is 9.36 meters and its thickness is 2.66 meters.
Unique Canary Pines:
Tenerife: Pino Gordo(Vilaflor), El Pino Derrengado(Ariko) Pino de Buen Paso(Icod de los Vinos).
La Palma: Pino de la Virgen(El Paso).
Gran Canaria: Pino de la Bruja Casandra(Tejeda).
on the world map, find the town of Vilaflor there.
One of the routes passes through it National Park to the volcano itself. Vilaflor is considered the highest mountain settlement not only in the Canaries, but throughout Spain and is located at an altitude of one thousand four hundred meters above sea level. The town was founded in the sixteenth century and is famous for its clean air and water.
There is healing, clean air here not only because it is highlands, but also because there are pine trees all around, the most amazing trees in the world - Canarian pines with unusually long needles. The local forest area is the largest in the Canary Islands. On the outskirts of Vilaflor you can admire and take photos with one of the island's two most unique pine trees: Pino Gordo. In terms of height, the pine tree is comparable to a multi-story building (height 46 m, trunk in circumference 11.4 m), and only eight adults holding hands can grasp it. From the observation deck (mirador) near the Pino Gordo pine, a beautiful view opens up and from here you can go to the next, very famous attraction in Tenerife -.
Good afternoon, dear readers! Let's take a little break from the holidays and useful information and we will tell you about the features of the island of Tenerife. Here you can find many things that you cannot find anywhere else. Starting from the unique Canarian flavor and ending rare plants- endemic, found only in the Canary Islands. We will return to the color and the Spaniards later, but now let’s talk about the pine forests of Tenerife, how they differ from ordinary ones and why the Canarians protect them so much.
Pine, Canary pine
Arriving in Tenerife, on one of the first days on the island, we went on a picnic. We wrote about this in more detail in. In addition to the picnic areas, which were cleverly designed and made for people, I was struck by the forest. There is no dense undergrowth, the ground is covered with a soft layer of pine needles, the pines are all straight, tall, similar to spruce.
Can you imagine a tree growing from a stone? You can see this here. Canary pines(lat. Pinus canariensis) they can take root on volcanic lava and still feel great - this is one of their features.
As mentioned above, the Canarian pine is considered endemic. You have already encountered this concept in previous articles and will see it more than once in new ones. It means that the plant has a limited growing area. For Canarian pine these are the islands,. Only here, at altitudes of 1200–2000 meters above sea level, are there ideal conditions for the growth of this type of tree.
The forest gave me a feeling of peace and comfort; in this feeling all my sorrows disappeared, the unpleasant were forgotten... Maxim Gorky
The features of Canarian pines do not end there: they are incredibly drought-resistant, the wood is fire-resistant, very strong, and the trees are easily restored after fires. All these qualities make Canarian pine valuable building material, but cutting it down has long been prohibited and is punishable by a large fine or even a prison term. Why is everything so serious?
The answer lies in one more thing unique property trees: moisture condensation. Canarian pine has very long needles (up to 30 cm) and moisture from the clouds condenses on these needles. The trees then release moisture through their root systems and moisten the soil for themselves and other plants.
But the point is not so much in moistening the soil, but in the fact that the water accumulating in the soil flows through underground channels into natural and artificially created reservoirs. This is how Canary pines create the only source on the island fresh water(except for rain), and the locals call them the island’s watermen.
Tallest in the world
Usually the Canary pine reaches up to 35 meters in height, but Tenerife unique island and boasts a unique pine tree! Its height is about 60 meters, the thickness at the base of the trunk is about three meters and it is rightfully considered the tallest Canary pine in the world.
The Canarians made it another attraction and equipped an observation deck near the pine tree. There we met enterprising sellers of souvenirs, however, not very cheap ones.
For entertainment near the largest Canary pine - a photo of the whole family hugging the tree trunk. There is also a small hollow at the base of the trunk, into which the bravest can stick their hand. There is even some belief that you need to make a wish, put a coin there and it will definitely come true - it’s almost like throwing a coin into a fountain.
It’s not worth planning a separate excursion for the big pine tree, but if you’re by car, you can plan a stop near it during your visit. By the way, you can “skip” it and not notice it if you are not careful, so at the entrance, look for the big one among the forest, it will be on the right side if you drive from the village of Vilaflor along the TF-21 highway towards Teide ().
There are so many amazing things Tenerife has to offer! We recommend that you definitely go on a picnic, breathe in the crystal clear air and see with your own eyes how Canarian pines differ from the ordinary ones that are more familiar to us.
Come visit, write comments and share your impressions of your vacation!
¡Adios, amigos!