This species is sometimes treated as a var of Pinus ponderosa, as Pinus ponderosa arizonica (Engelm.) Shaw[].

Common Name:

General Information

Pinus arizonica is an evergreen tree with a broadly conical to rounded crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 120cm in diameter[].
This tree is a major source of wood in Mexico, where most of the timber is used within the country[].
Pinus arizonica has become much reduced by overexploitation in some parts of its range, and it is difficult to implement more sustainable forestry methods in the short run that would reverse this trend. However, overall the tree is widespread and common in the Sierra Madre Occidental and on the whole is not in decline .The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern and western N. America - southern Arizona and southern New Mexico to northern Mexico

Habitat

Forests on slopes, canyons and rims, and tablelands, growing on various substrates, but with the best stands being found in valleys and on mesas with deep soil; at elevations from 1,300 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus arizonica is found wild in moderately dry to mesic forest with light winter frost occurring, at elevations from 1,300 - 3,000 metres. Annual precipitation is low to moderate, from 700 - 900mm, mostly falling during the winter months[].
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[, ].
Pinus arizonica is a major timber tree in Mexico, where it is often compared (or equated) with Pinus ponderosa in the USA. The uses of its wood are similar[].
The usually asymmetric seed cones are 5 - 8cm long[].
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,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though it definitely falls into the small range (the size given includes the shell)[].
The seed body is 3 - 4mm[].

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[].

Other Uses

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 major timber tree - timber of large sizes and high grade is sawn for light construction like window frames, doors, stairs, flooring, sidings, panelling, and veneers and for furniture, cabinetwork, boxes, and woodware. There are many local or regional sawmills where the logs are sawn and relatively little is exported[].

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[].