Sanibel Captiva Island Message Board

weimmom · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 58

We have been coming to Sanibel for 6 years now. For the last 3 years I have been coming with 2 girlfriends for a girl's trip. One of the women just came to visit me here at home and we had a conversation about the trees, flowers, and vegetation on Sanibel. We just love the beauty and while there we have seen a very tall tree that we want to identify. It is an evergreen....I think maybe a pine. It is very tall but very thin branches so in other words, not full. It has a beautiful almost perfect shape. I know this probably is not a great description but the best I can give. We saw a number of them in the yards there. We have spent so much time googling but with no luck. Any ideas what it can be? Thanks for any input.

Kim · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:57 pm Post subject:

Any chance of a picture?

AnnaB. · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 295 Location: Gainesville FL

You may be thinking of a Norfolk Island Pine. They are gorgeous.

Scott H · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject:

My guess is you're referring to the Australian Pines. Sanibel has lots of them. We live in the Dunes where I've heard they attract noseeums. Not sure if that's true.... noseeums are everywhere. But we do have a lot of Australian Pines around, and we do have a lot of noseeumes in the Dunes!

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/caeq1.htm

weimmom · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 58

Unfortunately we have never taken a picture. We must do that on the next trip. I checked the Australian Pine, that is not it. I am thinking it must be the Norfolk Island Pine. After googling pictures of it that is the closest thing I have seen so far. We were impressed with how perfect it looked....almost didn't look real. The vegetation on Sanibel is so gorgeous. Very different from the area where I live. Thanks to all of you.

Kim · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:39 am Post subject:

Now I know what you're referring to! A Cook Pine - A. columnaris - closely related to the Norfolk Pine.

Go to this page and scroll about half way down. If you click on the picture, it will open to an uncompressed, full size image.

Here's one in a friend's front yard on Sanibel from Google maps - the tallest (left) tree.

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weimmom · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 58

Thanks Kim! I do believe it is the Cook Pine. The photo of your friend's tree looks like what we saw.

nouknitouk · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 211 Location: Gatineau, Qc

norfolk island pine Laughing

they are beautiful. I tried to plant some seeds indoors at home.. but it never worked out

Iguess I will have to enjoy them on Sanibel only.

Patrick
p.s.: trip report incoming!

saustin43 · Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 131 Location: Mexico, MO

I am looking forward to your trip report.