Pinus nigra laricio
| Pinus nigra | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 98' |
| Width: | 26' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pinus nigra laricio (common name: corsican pine)
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[1]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[2]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[K]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[3]. 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[K]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[3].
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[4].
Cultivation: Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam and on well-drained clays[5][2]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils and shade[5][2]. Established plants tolerate drought[3]. Succeeds on thin chalky soils[2][3] and in severe maritime exposure[6][K].
A very hardy tree[5], it is extensively planted for timber and shelter[7][3]. Slow growing for its first few years, it then speeds up considerably and annual height increases up to 1 metre are often found[6]. New growth takes place from early May to mid-July[6].
Requires at least reasonable summer warmth in order to ripen its wood, otherwise it can suffer from die-back caused by Brunchorstia destruens. However, healthy trees are found as far north in Britain as Sutherland in Scotland[6].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[3]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[3].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow beneath the tree[8].
Plants are short-lived in cultivation[2][6].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[3].
Range: Europe - Corsica.
Habitat: Mountains, often on calcareous soils[9].
Edibility: A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[3].
Medicinal: The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient and vermifuge[10]. 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[10]. 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[10]. Externally it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc and is used in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers[10].
Usage: A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[11].
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[12].
A very wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[3]. Trees have proved to be very resistant to maritime exposure on our Cornwall trial grounds[K].
Resin and turpentine are obtained from the wood, they are used in ointments and plasters[13][14][15]. 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[14]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[10][14]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[14]. Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[14] and is separated by distillation[10][14]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for making varnish, medicinal etc[10]. Rosin is the substance left after turpentine is removed. This is used by violinists on their bows and also in making sealing wax, varnish etc[10]. Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc.
Wood - non durable. Used for rough carpentry and furniture[9].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Does not tolerate environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[16].
Also Known As: P. nigra calabrica. P. nigra corsicana.
Links
References
- ↑ McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.