Conifer Care Guide

Aleppo Pine

Pinus halepensis · Conifers

An evergreen pine native to the Mediterranean basin, extremely tolerant of drought and heat. It loves full sun and poor, calcareous soils. It is used especially for afforestation of dry areas and in low-maintenance landscapes; it is susceptible to the pine processionary caterpillar.

Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica · Conifers

A stately, evergreen tree suitable for large areas. It loves full sun and well-drained soils; once established it is quite drought tolerant.

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum · Conifers

One of the rare conifers that sheds its leaves (needles) in winter. It tolerates plenty of sun, acidic and wet soils, and even standing water. In dry-summer climates such as Izmir it can survive with generous and regular irrigation.

Black Pine

Pinus nigra · Conifers

An extremely hardy evergreen pine native to Anatolia. It has high tolerance of drought, air pollution and difficult soil conditions (clay, calcareous). It is widely used in forestry and in afforestation of difficult sites; it is susceptible to the pine processionary caterpillar.

Blue Spruce

Picea pungens · Conifers

A very valuable landscape tree with silvery-blue needles. It loves full sun for its best color. It is a tree of cool and moist climates and is not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate; under these conditions it becomes stressed, loses its color and becomes very susceptible to diseases.

Canadian Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Conifers

Native to cool, humid, shady forests; it cannot tolerate heat, drought or full sun. Growing it in a hot, dry climate like Izmir is extremely difficult, and for survival it needs a sheltered, shady position and constant, generous watering.

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens · Conifers

The tallest tree in the world, native to California's cool, foggy and rainy coasts. Izmir's hot, dry and calcareous conditions are fatal for this tree; it can be attempted only by experts, in a sheltered, partially shaded spot, in acidic soils and with constant generous irrigation/misting.

Common Juniper

Juniperus communis · Conifers

A generally needle-leaved, evergreen and extremely hardy shrub. It loves full sun and well-drained, poor soils; overwatering and poor air circulation can lead to fungal diseases, so they should be avoided.

Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides · Conifers

A fast-growing tree known as a 'living fossil', one of the rare trees that sheds its needles in autumn. It likes full-sun areas and constantly moist, deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is a magnificent landscape tree, especially by water and in large parks.

Deodar Cedar

Cedrus deodara · Conifers

A majestic evergreen tree known for its drooping branch tips and graceful form. It likes full sun and well-drained soil; although drought tolerant, it needs more moisture than other cedar species and likes to be watered, especially in summer.

Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Conifers

A stately tree native to the cool and humid forests of North America, known for its distinctive cones. It likes deep, moist and well-drained soils. It is not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate; under these conditions it becomes stressed and very vulnerable to diseases and pests.

Eastern Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis · Conifers

Likes sunny or partially shaded areas and moist, well-drained soil. It is sensitive to hot and dry climates, so it needs regular summer irrigation in Izmir. Often used as a hedge and screening plant.

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Conifers

An extremely hardy and drought-tolerant tree known for its aromatic wood used in pencil making. Because it is the alternate host of cedar-apple rust, a disease that harms apple, pear and quince trees, it should not be planted near these trees.

English Yew

Taxus baccata · Conifers

Adaptable to a wide range of light conditions from sun to full shade and to most soils as long as they are well drained. Because it is extremely tolerant of pruning, it is popular as a hedge and topiary plant. All parts are poisonous except the red fleshy part of the fruit.

European Larch

Larix decidua · Conifers

One of the rare conifers that sheds its needles in autumn. Because it is a cold mountain climate plant, Izmir's hot summers and mild winters are absolutely unsuitable for this tree to grow healthily, and planting it is not recommended.

Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum · Conifers

The largest tree in the world, native to California's Sierra Nevada mountains. It is not suitable for Izmir's hot summers and wet winters; to keep it alive it needs well-drained soil, regular deep irrigation when young and good air circulation.

Greek Juniper

Juniperus excelsa · Conifers

A majestic juniper tree native to Turkey's mountainous regions that is extremely tolerant of drought, heat and chalky soils. It needs full sun and well-drained soil; once planted in the garden it needs almost no care.

Hiba Arborvitae

Thujopsis dolabrata · Conifers

Native to the moist forests of Japan; it prefers partial shade (especially afternoon shade) and moist, well-drained, acidic soils. It is a difficult plant to grow in Izmir's hot and dry climate, requiring generous summer irrigation and a sheltered position.

Himalayan White Pine

Pinus wallichiana · Conifers

A very elegant evergreen pine with long, drooping clusters of soft, bluish-green needles. Its homeland is the cool, humid slopes of the Himalayas; it is not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate. Under stress it becomes vulnerable to fungal diseases and pests.

Incense Cedar

Calocedrus decurrens · Conifers

An evergreen tree with a narrow, columnar form and aromatic leaves. It is quite drought tolerant but needs regular irrigation when young; in the landscape it is used alone as an accent tree or to form a tight hedge.

Japanese Larch

Larix kaempferi · Conifers

A decorative conifer that sheds its needles in autumn. Because it is native to Japan's cool, humid mountains, Izmir's hot, dry climate is completely unsuitable for this tree to survive, and planting it is not recommended.

Japanese Umbrella Pine

Sciadopitys verticillata · Conifers

A collector's tree native to the cool, humid mountains of Japan, slow-growing and fond of acidic, moist soils. Izmir's hot, dry and calcareous conditions are fatal for this plant; it can be attempted only in specially prepared acidic soil, in partial shade and with constant irrigation using lime-free water.

Lawson Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana · Conifers

An evergreen tree that likes cool, humid climates and acidic, well-drained soil. It is extremely susceptible to Izmir's hot, dry summers, its chalky soils and especially to the deadly root rot (Phytophthora) that occurs when it is watered in warm soil, so growing it in this region is strongly discouraged.

Leyland Cypress

xCuprocyparis leylandii · Conifers

A hybrid cypress known for its very fast growth, often used for screening and hedges. It likes full sun and well-drained soil. Because it grows fast, it needs regular pruning and summer watering to keep its shape and stay healthy.

Maritime Pine

Pinus pinaster · Conifers

A fast-growing pine native to the Western Mediterranean, known for its long, thick needles and large cones. It likes well-drained, sandy and acidic soils; it is sensitive to calcareous (alkaline) soils. It is used on the coast as a windbreak and for afforestation.

Monkey Puzzle Tree

Araucaria araucana · Conifers

It prefers full-sun areas and very well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is a slow-growing tree used as a specimen (single) in parks and large gardens because of its unique symmetrical form.

Monterey Pine

Pinus radiata · Conifers

One of the fastest-growing pines in the world, native to California. It loves cool, foggy and humid coastal climates; it is not suitable for regions with Turkey's hot, dry summers. Under stress it becomes very vulnerable to fungal diseases such as Diplodia and to bark beetles.

Mountain Hemlock

Tsuga mertensiana · Conifers

Native to high-altitude, cool and snowy mountains; it needs cool air, humidity and constantly wet-cool soil. It cannot tolerate heat, drought or humid heat at all, so it is absolutely NOT suitable for Izmir's climate and keeping it alive is almost impossible.

Mountain Pine

Pinus mugo · Conifers

An evergreen pine native to the high mountains of Europe, usually dwarf and spreading in form. It is popular for rock gardens. It loves full sun and well-drained soils but is not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate; under these conditions it becomes very susceptible to spider mites and fungal diseases.

Norway Spruce

Picea abies · Conifers

An evergreen tree of pyramidal form native to cold and cool climates. It likes moist, cool, well-drained, acidic soil. It is not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate; under these conditions it becomes stressed and very susceptible to pests (especially bark beetles).

Oriental Arborvitae

Platycladus orientalis · Conifers

An extremely hardy evergreen shrub or small tree known for its vertical, flattened sprays of foliage. It is very tolerant of drought, heat and most soil types (including calcareous). It is widely used especially as a hedge, windbreak and cemetery plant.

Oriental Spruce

Picea orientalis · Conifers

An elegant evergreen tree native to the cool, rainy mountains of the Eastern Black Sea region. It likes moist and acidic soils. It is completely unsuitable for the hot, dry Aegean climate; if planted under these conditions it needs intensive care and, due to stress, remains extremely vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Phoenician Juniper

Juniperus phoenicea · Conifers

A juniper species typical of the Mediterranean coastline and maquis, extremely tolerant of drought, heat and saline soils. It needs full sun and well-drained soils; an excellent, low-maintenance choice for seaside gardens.

Prickly Juniper

Juniperus oxycedrus · Conifers

A native juniper species that is a natural part of Mediterranean maquis, extremely tolerant of drought, heat and poor soils. It needs full sun and well-drained soils; once planted in the garden it needs almost no maintenance.

Savin Juniper

Juniperus sabina · Conifers

An extremely hardy, spreading juniper species with all parts poisonous that gives off a sharp smell when crushed. It likes full sun and well-drained soil; it should be used with care in areas where children and pets are present.

Scots Pine

Pinus sylvestris · Conifers

An evergreen pine known for the orange-red bark on its upper trunk and its bluish-green needles. Its homeland is cool and cold climates; in Turkey it grows in high-altitude mountains and is absolutely not suitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate. Under these conditions it becomes stressed and short-lived.

Sitka Spruce

Picea sitchensis · Conifers

A giant tree native to the cool and rainy coastal rainforests of North America. It requires a constantly moist and cool environment. It is completely unsuitable for the hot, dry Mediterranean climate and is not expected to survive; planting it in these regions is considered a landscaping mistake.

Stinking Juniper

Juniperus foetidissima · Conifers

A juniper tree native to Turkey's mountainous regions that gives off a strong smell when crushed and is extremely tolerant of drought and heat. It needs full sun and well-drained soil; once planted in the garden it needs almost no care.

Stone Pine

Pinus pinea · Conifers

An iconic Mediterranean pine known for the characteristic umbrella-shaped crown it develops at maturity and for its edible, valuable seeds (pine nuts). It likes full sun and deep, well-drained soil; it is extremely tolerant of drought and heat. It is also often used in landscapes as a shade tree.

Turkish Pine

Pinus brutia · Conifers

The most common pine species of Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean, an evergreen tree that is extremely tolerant of drought and heat. It likes full sun and poor, rocky, chalky soil. It needs no care in the landscape and is a fire-adapted species; it is vital for our forests.

Western Hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla · Conifers

Native to the cool and rainy rainforests of North America; it needs shade, coolness, high humidity and constantly wet soil. It cannot tolerate heat and drought at all, so it is absolutely NOT suitable for Izmir's climate and keeping it alive is nearly impossible.

Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata · Conifers

A fast-growing, large privet species that prefers moist, cool climates. It needs regular and generous irrigation to stay healthy in Izmir's hot and dry summers. It is generally used to quickly form a tall hedge or screen.

White Spruce

Picea glauca · Conifers

An evergreen tree native to the cool and cold forests of North America. It likes moist, cool and acidic soils. Its popular dwarf form ('Conica') in particular becomes stressed in hot and dry climates and very susceptible to spider mite damage; it is not a suitable choice for the Mediterranean climate.