Common Name:

General Information

Pinus amamiana is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 200cm in diameter[].
The plant yields a high quality, very durable wood, but is not currently exploited for this due to the rarity of the species. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental, especially in Japanese gardens[].
The total population size of Pinus amamiana amounts to fewer than 3,000 tree and is declining. These trees were formerly exploited for timber and regeneration is slow due to the exposed conditions in which they grow. In addition, Pine Wood Nematodes accidentally introduced from the U.S.A. have caused increased mortality among seedlings and saplings The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern Japan

Habitat

Mountains and hills[]. Exposed, open stands in often sparsely vegetated localities on rocky slopes; at elevations from 50 - 900 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus amamiana is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -5 - 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[, ].
The ovoid seed cones are 5 - 7cm x 3 - 4cm, ripening at the end of their second growing season[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
This species is very closely related to Pinus armandii from southern China, and was at one time included in that species. Pinus armandii produces a moderate-sized seed that is considered to be a delicacy in China. The seed of this species is a little smaller, but well-worth experimenting with[].
The gray-black seeds are 10 - 12mm long and 4 - 6mm wide[].

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[].

A high quality, very durable wood that historically made it attractive as a source of fine timber[]. The tree used to be exploited for its wood in the past, being used locally for construction, carpentry and making traditional wooden canoes. Due to the rarity of this species, exploitation has virtually ceased[].

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[].