Common Name: Piñon Real

General Information

Pinus maximartinezii is an evergreen tree with a broad open crown of irregular branches; it can grow up to 16 metres tall. The short, twisted and contorted bole can be 40 - 50cm in diameter[, ].
The trees are heavily exploited for their large edible seeds, which are consumed locally and also traded in local markets[]. Due to its low stature and branching of the trunk, the timber is little used, though it used to be collected for fuel. Young trees retain an attractive blue juvenile foliage for several years and are grown as ornamentals in Mexico[].
Pinus maximartinezii has a limited distribution in central Mexico. Its main threats are fire and over grazing and the subsequent erosion which result in few seedlings that succeed in establishing themselves. Intensive harvesting of cones and seeds may also diminish its chances of reproduction. Two disjunct locations are known although it is possible that other subpopulations exist in the intervening areas. A recent decline in at least the quality of habitat has been observed in the main subpopulation in Zacatecas due to grazing and erosion. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' 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 - central Mexico (southern Durango, southern Zacatecas)

Habitat

Open dry forests, mainly with deciduous broad-leaved trees, especially oaks; at elevations from 1,750 - 2,400 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus maximartinezii is found in the subtropical to tropical climate of central Mexico. It is a not a very cold-hardy plant, those plants from the more northerly of its provenences are able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -5°c when fully dormant, those from the more southerly provenence are less tolerant of cold[]. Precipitation is probably around 700 - 800mm annually, virtually restricted to four months in the summer[]. The plant is lkely to succeed in Mediterranean-type climates[].
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-truncate seed cones can range from 15 - 27cm long and 10 - 15cm wide. The green cones can reach weights of 1.5 - 2 kilos. They can take 2 - 3 growing seasons to mature, usually remaining more or less closed on the tree until broken open by animals, particularly squirrels and birds. It is not known if fire stimulates the cones to open[].
This is one of several species of pine that have a mutualistic relationship with species of birds in the family Corvidae (in this case Jays and Nutcrackers) to disperse its seed. The birds have powerfull beaks which enable them to extricate the seeds and crack the shells. They store many of the seeds at some distance from the parent plant - some of these seeds never get eaten and can germinate and grow into new trees[].
Seedlings have up to 24 cotyledons on germination (the most of any plant), and continue to produce juvenile foliage only for several years, with nodding white shoots and single 3-4 cm leaves, strongly glaucous[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. Rich in oil, with a slightly resinous flavour. The seeds are very large, usually 22 - 26mm long and thus the largest of any pine species[].

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[].

Due to the tree's low stature and branching of the trunk, the timber is little used, though the wood used to be collected 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[].