Common Name: Himalayan Blue Pine

General Information

Pinus wallichiana is an evergreen tree with a broadly pyramidal crown; it usually grows up to 50 metres tall but can reach 70 metres, The straight, cylindrical bole can be 100cm or more in diameter[, , ].
The tree has a range of traditional uses as a food, medicine and source of materials. An important timber tree in the Himalayas, it is harvested on a commercial basis both from wild stands and plantations for its wood and resin. The tree is sometimes grown as an ornamental, there are several named forms[].
Pinus wallichiana is widespread and common. 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 - Himalayan region from northeast Afghanistan, China (Xizang, Yunnan), Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar

Habitat

Mountains, temperate rainforests; at elevations from 1,600 - 3,300 metres in China[]. The dominant species in drier areas, it is also found in secondary forest in wetter areas; at elevations up to 3,900 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus wallichiana is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -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[, ]. This species prefers sandy or clay soils rather than limestone[]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils or shade[, ]. Established plants tolerate drought[]. Grows best in positions sheltered from strong winds[]. Relatively tolerant of atmospheric pollution[].
A fast-growing but relatively short-lived tree in cultivation[].
The Himalayan blue pine succeeds in exposed positions but it looks much better when grown in a sheltered position[, ]. It is a very fast growing tree when young, with new shoots up to 1metre long per year[] and 30 year old trees 20 metres tall. New growth takes place from mid spring to mid summer[]. Growth in height diminishes rapidly when trees are 25 metres tall, probably due to their dislike of exposure at that height[].
The plant is cultivated for timber in Italy[].
The cylindrical seed cones are 10 - 30cm long, taking two growing seasons to reach maturity[]. They open and shed their seed whilst still on the tree[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. It has a very resinous flavour and so is not much relished[]. The seed is quite small, up to 7mm long[].

A sweet liquid, known as honeydew, is secreted by aphids on the pine needles. It is eaten as a manna[, , , ]. Another report says that a manna-like substance that exudes from the leaves and twigs is eaten or used like honey[].

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 wood is diaphoretic and stimulant[]. It is useful in treating burning of the body, cough, fainting and ulcers[].

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

The plant is a commercial source of oleoresins, which are used to produce turpentine and tar[]. It is said to be of superior quality to Pinus roxburghii but is not produced so freely[, , ]. 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 leaves are used as a stuffing material for pillows etc[].

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

The wood is straight-grained, moderately hard, strong, durable, highly resinous. It is used in construction, furniture making, carpentry and joinery, wall panelling, veneers, fences and gates, crates and boxes, and railway sleepers etc[, , , , , , ].
Both the wood and the seed cones are rich in resin. They burn well as a fuel, though they give off a pungent resinous smoke[]. The wood can also be splintered and used as a torch[, ].

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[].