Pinus hwangshanensis is the Chinese representative of a group of three closely related taxa: Pinus taiwanensis of Taiwan, Pinus luchuensis of Japan, and Pinus hwangshanensis of mainland China. All three taxa are morphologically similar, but distinct, and they are here treated as separate species, although they are also sometimes treated as one species (Pinus luchuensis) and two subspecies (Pinus luchuensis subsp. hwangshanensis (W.Y.Hsia) D.Z.Li and Pinus luchuensis subsp. taiwanensis (Hayata) D.Z.Li)[]

Common Name:

General Information

Pinus hwangshanensis is an evergreen tree with a conical crown becoming flat-topped with age; it can grow up to 25 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested commercially from the wild for its good quality wood. Forestry plantation of this species (and its varieties) is restricted to SE China as far as is known. In horticulture it is rare, except for the use for bonsai growing popular in E Asia[].
Pinus hwangshanensis is widespread but scattered and can be fragmented in certain areas where subpopulations are (now) separated by unsuitable habitat due to agricultural development. Yet its capacity to colonize does not seem to indicate any threat with extinction in the foreseeable future. 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

E. Asia - southern China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang)

Habitat

Mixed warm-temperate and montane forests, open areas and sunny ridges on sandy, acidic mountains; at elevations from 600 - 3,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus hwangshanensis is a moderately cold-hardy plant, 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[, ]. Plants are often found in the wild on shallow, sandy acidic soils and rocky outcrops, though also grow well in better soils[].
Mature seed cones are around 4 - 7cm in diameter, maturing in about 18 months[].
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 they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The dark brown, ovoid seeds are around 6mm 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[].

This pine has a good quality timber with suitable strength for construction, e.g. in buildings and wooden bridges, use as railway sleepers and mine props. Its wood is also used for building fences and gates, crates and boxes, panelling, flooring, furniture making, industrial and domestic woodware, tools, plywood, fibreboard, and wood pulp[].

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[].