Pinus coulteri

The 'Big cone pine' from California not only has superb grey-green needles up to 30cm long, but also produces the heaviest cones of any pine. The huge woody, strikingly thorny cones weigh up to 2kg and are a feature in themselves, especially on the mantelpiece. Makes a bold specimen, usually attaining a medium sized tree here with dense foliage. Hardy, but rarely obtainable.