Common Name:

General Information

Pinus yunnanensis is an evergreen tree, occasionally a shrub, with a dense, dome-shaped crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, though the shrubby form is usually up to 2 metres tall. The straight, erect bole can be 100cm in diameter[, ].
An important timber tree in China, where vast stands of the tree exist. It is commonly harvested from the wild, for its timber and also as a source of resin, tannins and for use as a medicine. It is also planted to provide shelter and stabilize soils, and sometimes as an ornamental[].
Pinus yunnanensis 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 - southern central China (Guangxi, Guizhou, SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, Yunnan)

Habitat

Often forming extensive forests, growing on high mountain slopes (sometimes to the tree line), in river basins, valleys and deep river gorges, favouring dry and sunny slopes; at elevations from 400 - 3,100 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus yunnanensis is said to be hardy only to zone nine, indicating it can only tolerate short periods of frost with temperatures down to around -5°c. However, plants have been growing successfully in colder regions than this - for example there are trees over 100 years old at Kew Gardens in England (hardiness zone 7 - 8) that are more than 15 metres tall and there are also various more recent plantings further north in Britain[].
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 is adapted to survive on sites with infertile and shallow, rocky soils exposed to erosion[].
The conical-ovoid seed cones are 5 - 11cm long[].
These is a dwarf form of this species. Pinus yunnanensis var. pygmaea (Hsüeh) Hsüeh is found on dry and sunny slopes at higher elevations in the mountains from 2,200 - 3,100 metres[].
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 brown seeds are nearly ovoid or obovoid, around 4 - 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[].

The trunk can be used as a source of 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 roots are used for cultivating fungi[].

Tannins are obtained from the bark[].

The timber is used for construction, railway sleepers, boards, furniture, 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[].