Unusual Five Needle Pine

[treerjb]

Ive been exploring Puckpits Inclosure in New Forest and there are some huge conifers there, many of which do not seem to be documented anywhere I have access to, and away from the 45m pinus nigra maritima. There are many species of spruce, pine, larch, hemlock, and plenty of huge douglas fir, also some young coast redwood which seem to be growing every time I visit. An amazing place.

 

However, today I found a five needle pine species Ive never seen in the NF before, cones are similar to walliachana or strobus, but much smaller (approx 3-4" in length) Also have a 'frosted' resin appearance. The bark is also unusual for a pine. The needles are thin and wavy, and very short compared to most 5 needle pine I have seen approx 3" in length. 

 

The tree splits into two and the needles are all at the top, sparse foliage. The tree is approx 30m in height, probably 1m girth.

 

Ive checked all my books but cant find anything resembling the tree.

 

Please see photos (sorry they are poor quality), any ideas?

 

 

[treerjb]

It may be Pinus Peuce, but needles don't look right, and cones too small according to by reference books.

[armybloke]

 Pinus strobus

[slack ma girdle]

Masadonian pine has cones like that, drips shed load of resin outbof the cone.

[treerjb]

I think both needle and cone length too short for Strobus.

These needles the shortest I have seen for 5 needle pine. 

I may be wrong though.

Never seen Peuce before, so must be unusual.

[daltontrees]

My money's on Macedonian Pine Pinus peuce. It is recorded as havig short needle varieties and to have stunted cones (of the size described here) in marginal growing conditions. Plus resinous cones.

 

If so, good find.