We are following the treatment in the Kew 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' (https://wcsp.science.kew.org/namedetail.do?name_id=380317) which treas this taxon as a distinct species. Some other treatments, such as the Flora of N. America[] view it as a synonym of Pinus cembroides Zucc.[].

Common Name: Paper-Shell Piñon

General Information

Pinus remota is an evergreen tree or a shrub with a dense, shrubby crown; it can grow up to 11 metres tall. The short bole is often forked and is generally 15 - 40cm in diameter[].
The edible seeds are harvested from the wild along with those of several opther edible pine species. They are used locally and also traded. The plant is also sometimes utilized as fuel wood[].
Pinus remota has no known specific threats. 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

Range

Southern N. America - southwest Texas, northeast Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila & extreme western Nuevo León)

Habitat

Dry sites in canyons or on rocky mountain slopes, often on calcareous soil or limestone rock, forming Pinyon-juniper woodland which is often scrubby, sometimes in foothills and tablelands; at elevations from 700 - 2300 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	7.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus remota is found in semi-arid regions of southern N. America, where the summers are long and hot. Annual precipitation is generally within the range 300 - 500mm, but this can be very variable and winter frosts can be common for around 2 months of the year. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -10°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[, ]. Tolerant of alkaline soils[]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant, preferring a hot dry position[].
This species is very closely related to Pinus cembroides, differing mainly in having a thin seed shell and a higher frequency of 2-leaved fascicles in contrast to the thicker seed shell and prevalently 3-leaved fascicles of Pinus cembroides[].
The seed cones are 25 - 40mm long and 30 - 60mm wide. They take two growing seasons to mature, opening and shedding their seed whilst still attached to the tree[, ].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. Thin-shelled[], the oil-rich seed has a slightly resinous flavour and a soft texture. A reasonable size, about 13 - 16mm long[].

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[].

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[].

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[].

The wood is used locally for fuel[].

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[].