Range
Native to Corsica. Related black pine species (e.g. Calabrian pine) are found in Italy and Spain but do not have as good form.
Provenance Choice
The best seed sources are from good British seed stands or imports from Corsica.
Site Requirements
A light demanding pioneer species with the best growth found on acid freely draining sandy loams. Requires a warm summer climate, tolerates heat and drought, windfirm but susceptible to frost damage, therefore best suited to the drier lowland areas of Britain where it produces higher volumes than other pines. Will grow on most soils except moist or compacted ones, and will grow on calcareous soils provided these are well drained. It tolerates exposure and pollution and will grow well on sand dunes provided it is not directly exposed to salt spray.
ECOLOGICAL SITE CLASSIFICATION TOOLPests and Pathogens
Corsican pine is very susceptible to red band needle blight, and is currently not recommended for planting because of the impact of this disease. Lophodermella needle disease and shoot dieback caused by Brunchorstia are also widespread on Corsican pine of all ages although much less damaging than red band needle blight. Like Scots pine, Corsican can also suffer root and butt rot caused by Heterobasidion, with occasional mortality of young trees.
Shoot killing by pine-shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda) can also reach significant levels in Corsican pine.
