Common Name: Sugar Pine

General Information

Pinus lambertiana is an evergreen tree with a narrowly conical crown that becomes rounded with age; it can grow up to 75 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 330cm in diameter
One of the most valuable of the pine woods, due to its very large size and knot-free wood. It is much harvested from the wild for commercial use. The tree also has a long history of traditional uses, as a food, medicine and source of materials. The tree has been grown in plantations for its wood and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Pinus lambertiana is an important timber tree with harvest far exceeding regrowth. has a wide range and a high population.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-western N. America - Oregon, California, Nevada, Baja Norte

Habitat

Cool, usually fairly moist, mixed coniferous woods in mountainous areas[], growing best on deep well-drained soils; at elevations from 330 - 3,200 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	75.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus lambertianus is found at moderate to high elevations in the temperate climate of western N. America, It is a hospitable climate with warm, sunny summers moistened by rain showers and snowy but not extremely cold winters[]. The plant is moderately cold-hardy, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant[].
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants tolerate drought[]. Plants have a deep taproot that anchors them firmly when growing in a windy site[].
This is the largest species of the genus, and also has the longest seed cone in the genus. I
A very vigorous tree, capable of growing 1 metre per year when young[].
The trees are long-lived in their native environment, but can take 100 years or more before they come into reliable seed bearing[]. Even then seed production is sparse, with good yields only every 4 - 5 years[].
The cylindrical seed cones can be 25 - 50cm long. They take two growing seasons to mature, opening and shedding their seed in early autumn whilst still attached to the tree[, , ].
They seed cones often drip with a sweet sap[].
Unfortunately the cones are seldom borne in maritime climates with cool summers[], though a tree at Hawkestone Park in Shropshire often bears cones[].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow beneath the tree[].
Trees are susceptible to the 'white pine blister rust' and should not be grown near to blackcurrants[, ]. This rust killed off all the plantings of this species that were made prior to 1960[]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
The crushed leaves and shoots have a sweet grapefruit-like aroma[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. A good size, up to 15mm x 10mm[]. A pleasant sweet nutty flavour[, ], with a hint of resin[]. The nut, together with the shell, can be pulverised into a nut butter[].

A sugar is obtained from boiling off the water in the sap[, , , , ]. Some caution is advised since it is laxative if used in large quantities[].
A sweet sugar-like substance exudes from wounds made in the heartwood of the tree[, , ] and also from the cones. It is sometimes used for sweetening foods, though in large quantities it is laxative[, ]. It is a resin that is high in cyclitols[].

The pitch obtained from the trunk is allowed to harden and is then used as a chewing gum[].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

The sap is carminative and laxative[]. The dried sap powder has been eaten in the treatment of stomach gas, constipation, ulcers etc[, , , , ]. It has also been used to make eye drops to treat sore eyes[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

An extract of the wood is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction economically worthwhile[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].
Yields a pitch, though it is not commercially important[].
The resin is used as an adhesive[].

The wood is light in weight, soft, free of knots, straight and even though rather coarse grained. Available in very large sizes from which very large, straight pieces can be sawn. The wood is used for high quality construction timber and the finished milled wood makes it ideal for high standard windows and doors as well as foundry casting and even musical instruments such as organ pipes and piano keys[, , , , , ].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].