Mexican Weeping Pine
Pinus patula
NEMBA category
English: Mexican Weeping Pine, Spreading-leaved Pine, Patula Pine
Afrikaans: Treurden, Patuladen
Historical scientific names: Pinus oocarpa var. ochoterenai, Pinus patula var. longipedunculata
Misapplied scientific names: Pinus radiata, Pinus elliottii
Pinus patula, commonly known as the Mexican Weeping Pine, is a tall, elegant evergreen tree with a distinctive "weeping" look, thanks to its long, slender, often drooping branches covered in very long, fine needles that hang downwards. Its bark is usually reddish-brown and flaky, especially on older trees. It produces persistent, pointed cones that stay on the tree for many years.
Although beautiful and widely planted for timber, this tree is a serious environmental problem in South Africa, easily escaping plantations and invading natural areas.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Origin:
Native to the highlands of Mexico, primarily from the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.
Distinguishing features:
Weeping habit: Branches and needles often droop downwards, giving the tree a graceful, weeping appearance.
Long, slender needles: Very long (15-30 cm), fine, and bright green needles, typically arranged in bundles (fascicles) of three to five.
Reddish-brown, flaky bark: On mature trees, the bark is often distinctively reddish-brown and peels off in thin, papery flakes.
Persistent, egg-shaped cones: Cones are relatively small (5-10 cm), oval to conical, and stay on the branches for many years, often in clusters.
Fast-growing and conical shape (when young): Often forms a narrow, conical shape when young, becoming more rounded or irregular with age.
Overall appearance:
A medium to large evergreen conifer with a typically narrow, conical shape when young, developing a more rounded or irregular crown with age. It is most recognisable by its distinctive weeping habit, with long, drooping needles giving it a soft, feathery texture.
Height:
Typically grows 20 to 30 metres tall in South Africa, but can reach up to 40 metres in ideal conditions.
Width:
Crown width can range from 5 to 10 metres, depending on age, spacing, and site conditions.
Leaves:
The leaves are long, slender needles, typically 15 to 30 centimetres long, bright green, and slightly drooping. They are usually found in bundles (fascicles) of three, four, or five, but most commonly three. These long, fine needles contribute significantly to the "weeping" appearance of the tree.
Flowers:
Pinus patula produces male and female cones (strobili) on the same tree (monoecious). The male cones are small, yellowish, cylindrical, and clustered at the base of new shoots. The female cones are initially small, reddish-purple, and appear near the tips of new shoots. They develop into the familiar woody cones.
Flowering season (South Africa):
Pollination (shedding of pollen from male cones) typically occurs in late winter to early spring (around July to September). Cones mature approximately 2 years after pollination.
Fruits:
The "fruits" are the woody seed cones. They are relatively small, egg-shaped to conical, 5 to 10 centimetres long, and are usually brownish when mature. They are often slightly curved and have a pointed tip.
Seeds:
Small, winged seeds, about 5-7 millimetres long with a wing of 1.5-2.5 centimetres. They are released from the cones, especially during hot, dry conditions (serotinous cones, though not exclusively), and are dispersed by wind.
Bark:
On young trees, the bark is reddish-brown and scaly. On mature trees, the bark on the upper trunk and branches becomes distinctly thin, papery, and exfoliates (peels off) in large, reddish-brown or purplish-brown flakes, revealing patches of paler, smooth bark underneath. The lower trunk can have thicker, more furrowed bark.
Wood:
The wood is relatively soft, yellowish-white, and moderately strong. It is widely used for timber, pulpwood, particle board, and other wood products in South Africa's commercial forestry industry.
Roots:
Develops a deep and extensive root system, with a strong taproot and widespread lateral roots, which contributes to its stability and ability to extract water efficiently.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, acidic, loamy or sandy-loam soils. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including poor soils, but performs best in areas with moderate to high rainfall.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun and is well-adapted to cooler, high-altitude regions with good rainfall. It tolerates light frost but is less tolerant of severe droughts than some other pine species.
Edibility:
Not considered edible for humans. Pine nuts come from other Pinus species.
Toxicity:
Not generally considered toxic to humans or livestock.
Uses:
Extensively planted in South Africa as a commercial timber species for the pulp and paper industry, saw timber, and various wood products. It is also used in some regions as an ornamental tree for its attractive weeping form and as a windbreak.
Ecology:
As an alien invasive plant in South Africa, Pinus patula is a major environmental threat. Its widespread planting in commercial forestry plantations has led to extensive escape and invasion of adjacent natural ecosystems, particularly fynbos, grasslands, and montane areas. It outcompetes and displaces indigenous vegetation, forming dense, monoculture stands that significantly reduce biodiversity. Pine invasions alter natural fire regimes by increasing fuel loads and fire intensity, which can be devastating to fire-adapted fynbos ecosystems. They also have a significant impact on water resources, especially in catchments, consuming large amounts of water and reducing stream flow. Its winged seeds are readily dispersed by wind, allowing it to spread quickly from source populations.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely cultivated in commercial forestry plantations across the higher rainfall areas of South Africa. It is highly invasive and widely naturalised in numerous provinces, particularly where plantations exist or where it has been planted ornamentally. It is very common in the Eastern Cape (especially in plantations, mountainous areas, and disturbed grasslands around Kenton-on-Sea), KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Western Cape, and parts of the Free State. It invades grasslands, fynbos, shrublands, open woodlands, riverbanks, and disturbed areas, often forming dense stands.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Pinus is the classical Latin name for pine trees.
The species epithet patula is Latin for "spreading" or "open," possibly referring to the spreading nature of its branches or needles.
The common name "Mexican Weeping Pine" refers to its native origin in Mexico and its distinctive drooping or weeping branch and needle habit.
Historical aspects:
Pinus patula was introduced to South Africa in the early 20th century (around the 1900s-1920s) as a fast-growing, high-yielding timber species for commercial forestry. Its adaptability to a range of growing conditions and its economic value led to its extensive planting across the country. However, its prolific seed production, wind dispersal, and ability to establish in a variety of habitats quickly made it a highly aggressive invasive species, posing significant ecological and hydrological threats, leading to its declaration as an invasive plant.
Interesting facts:
This tree is like a graceful giant that's always a bit sad, with its branches and long needles constantly looking like they're weeping!
It's a superstar in the timber industry, growing super fast to provide wood for paper and building, but this speedy growth also makes it a wild escape artist!
Its cones are quite clever; they can stay on the tree for years, only opening up to release seeds when it gets really hot, like during a fire – a sneaky way to spread!
Even though it's called the "Mexican Weeping Pine," it's now a huge problem in South Africa, especially in beautiful fynbos areas where it drinks up too much water!
Friendly alternatives:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)