Editing Conifer (section)

=== As an invasive species ===
{{Main|Wilding conifer}}
[[File:Prospect Pine Forest, Sydney.jpg|thumb|A Monterey pine forest in [[Sydney]], Australia]]

A number of conifers originally introduced for forestry have become [[invasive species]] in parts of [[New Zealand]], including radiata pine (''[[Pinus radiata]]''), lodgepole pine (''[[Pinus contorta|P. contorta]]''), [[Douglas fir]] (''Pseudotsuga mensiezii'') and European larch (''[[Larix decidua]]'').<ref name="NZDeptConservation-2001">{{cite web |url=http://csl.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/threats-and-impacts/weeds/south-island-wilding-conifer-strategy/ |title=South Island wilding conifer strategy |publisher=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)]] |year=2001 |access-date=2009-04-19 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814032140/http://csl.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/threats-and-impacts/weeds/south-island-wilding-conifer-strategy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In parts of [[South Africa]], maritime pine (''[[Pinus pinaster]]''), patula pine (''[[Pinus patula|P. patula]]'') and radiata pine have been declared invasive species.<ref>{{cite conference|url = http://invasive.org/publications/xsymposium/proceed/13pg941.pdf|title = Biological Control of Alien, Invasive Pine Trees (Pinus species) in South Africa|journal = The X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds|date = 4–14 July 1999|location = Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA|editor-first = Neal R.|editor-last = Spencer|pages = 941–953|first1 = V. C.|last1 = Moran|first2 = J. H.|last2 = Hoffmann|first3 = D.|last3 = Donnelly|first4 = B. W.|last4 = van Wilgen|first5 = H. G.|last5 = Zimmermann|access-date = 28 June 2016|archive-date = 6 October 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161006014151/http://www.invasive.org/publications/xsymposium/proceed/13pg941.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref> These [[wilding conifers]] are a serious environmental issue causing problems for pastoral farming and for [[conservation (ethic)|conservation]].<ref name="NZDeptConservation-2001"/>

Radiata pine was introduced to Australia in the 1870s. It is "the dominant tree species in the Australian plantation estate"<ref name="Lindemayer-2007">{{cite journal |last1=Lindenmayer |first1=D.B. |last2=Hobbs |first2=R.J. |title=Fauna conservation in Australian plantation forests – a review |journal=Biological Conservation |date=September 2004 |volume=119 |issue=2 |pages=151–168 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2003.10.028 |bibcode=2004BCons.119..151L }}</ref> – so much so that many Australians are concerned by the resulting loss of native wildlife habitat. The species is widely regarded as an environmental weed across southeastern and southwestern Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/pinus_radiata.htm|title=Pinus radiata|publisher=keyserver.lucidcentral.org|work=Weeds of Australia|date=2016|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619101113/http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/pinus_radiata.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the removal of individual plants beyond plantations is encouraged.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/sustainableliving/weedmanagement/factsheets |title=Blue Mountains City Council – Fact Sheets &#91;Retrieved 1 August 2015&#93;|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624041550/http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/sustainableliving/weedmanagement/factsheets|url-status=dead}}</ref>