Common Name:

General Information

Pinus pseudostrobus is an evergreen tree with a dense, wide, rounded or domed crown; it usually grows 20 - 40 metres tall, occasionally reaching 45 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
This is one of the most common and important 'hard pines' in Mexico and Mesoamerica. It is widely exploited there for its timber, and to a lesser extent for its resin, and has also been widely planted for forestry in Africa and to a lesser extent in India. In horticulture its is rare and generally only suitable in regions with a mild climate[].
Although local overexploitation has depleted some forests, Pinus pseudostrobus is widespread and abundant throughout most of the southern half of Mexico and into Central America. 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

C. America - El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala north to Sinaloa and Durango in central Mexico

Habitat

An important constituent of mixed conifer pine and pine-oak forests in montane or high-montane forest; at elevations from 850 - 3,250 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus pseudostrobus is a widely distributed and in many places common or abundant pine of montane to high montane habitat in the cold-temperate to warm-temperate zones of southern Mexico. Its altitudinal range is considerable, but differs little along the entire 2,500 km of its range, being found from 850 - 3,250 metres. Mean annual precipitation is also variable, but with a minimum of around 800 mm in parts of Mexico, whilst in Guatemala and Honduras it can be over 2,000 mm[]. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -5 to -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-oblong cones are 7 - 16cm × 6 - 13 cm, taking two growing seasons to mature then opening to release the seed whilst still on the tree[].
This is one of several Pinus species that have a juvenile life stage. After germinating, the seedlings produce secondary foliage but the central shoot does not elongate - at this stage the plant looks more like a bunchgrass than a pine. Especially when growing in shade, the plant can remain in this juvenile stage for several years, developing a large taproot but not increasing in height. If the light levels increase (due to removal of tree cover by fire, deforestation or some other reason) then the plant commences rapid height growth[].
The species begins reproducing at 6 to 7 years[]
The interval between large cone crops is from 3 to 5 years[].
Wood production is 12 to 30 cubic metres per hectare/yr[].
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 greyish brown seeds are 5 - 7mm long and 3 - 4mm 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[].

The plant (part not specified) is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as cold or coldness and hoarseness[].

The leaves are ground to extract their juice and this is used as eye drops to clean and disinfect the eyes[].

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[].

The tree is tapped for its resin[]. 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 light yellowish in colour, light in weight (specific gravity 0.45), strong, with long intervals of knot-free wood which is only slightly resinous. The wood is used for light construction, carpentry and joinery, wall panelling, veneers, boxes and containers, matches, 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[].