The red pine forests of Cercedilla have always been an inseparable part of my connection to Cercedilla. Their tall, rugged trunks, marked by distinctive red bark that flakes away leaving a green canopy above and a red hued forest below. So what better way to start Cercedilla Filed Notes then a page on this beautiful tree.
The tree that makes up these forests is the European red pine (Pinus sylvestris) and aslo known as Scots pine, Baltic pine and as pino albar in Spanish.
Stats:
- Height: Up to 35 meters (115 feet)
- Diameter: Up to 1 meter (3 feet)
- Altitude: 1,200-2,600 meters (3,900 - 8,500 feet)
- Lifespan: 150 - 300 years
- Distribution: Scotland, Spain to central Siberia
Other Facts:
- Also has been known as European redwood
- Pinus sylvestris is the only pine native to northern Europe
- One of the first trees introduced to North America, in about 1600
- Listed as an invasive species in some areas of North America, including Ontario, Michigan
- It has been widely used in the United States for the Christmas tree trade, and was one of the most popular Christmas trees from the 1950s through the 1980s
- During the 18th and 19th centuries, the red pines around Cercedilla were a primary timber source for Spain, especially for construction in Madrid. Remnants of old forest trails and logging paths still crisscross the region, marking the forest’s industrial past. The Camino Schmidt, a popular hiking route, follows some of these old paths.
More pictures
- Close up of bark:
- Another example of how red they get
- Another example but think the jpg algorithm on this camera was a bit wonky
Links, References and things that helped with this
Thanks for reading and feel free to give feedback or comments via email (andrew@jupiterstation.net).