Upside down tree in Sicily

Hello

I would very much like to know the identity of this curious tree seen from my hotel window in Catania. Any ideas?

 

That is the Phonus Mastus, an increasingly invasive species that seems to be cropping up everwhere. Even the strongest weedkiller wont eradicate it!

 

I've found they have inspection hatches low down on the trunk that you can remove and fill with parrafin soaked rags. Once you light the rag, the Phonus Mastus dies very quickly :hehe:

 

Makes a mess of chain saw blades as well..

 

And has brought about the end of many axes

 

They are obviously some cousin to the ones we have here in Algarve ... These are pics my Sis (Kedi-Gato from Germany) took on her recent visit here ...







Far nicer than the ugly normal micro towers .... it looks like putting a Christmas tree up .... :gnthb:

 

Hi
Great answers but wrong tree! I should have said it was the one slightly below and to the left with the needles that stick upwards. I think it is a pine but cannot find it in any of my books even though it is so distinctive. Here is the pic again.

 

Norfolk Island pine perhaps?

 

I agree with you pete ... a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). I think we were all mesmerised by the more prominent 'tree' next to it ....

 

Its a pity that mast was there, as it spoils what I presume is a nice view of Mt Etna?