Bhutan Pine
Pinus wallichiana
Pine familiy (Pinaceae)
Least concern
Tears that can dissolve
The Himalayan pine (also known the Bhutan pine or blue pine) comes originally from Asia but has become a favourite in European parks and gardens. This is mainly due to the long, thin, pendulous needles that can reach up to 20 cm. These 'weeping' needles render this pine very attractive. It is native to the western Himalayas and India. In the clean air this 50 m high tree can grows at altitudes of over 4,000 m but is also particularly resistant to air pollution.
The curved cones are covered with sticky resin and can reach up to 36 cm in length. The cones resemble grey tears hanging on the branches. The wood contains much resin making it good for firewood. In the past the resin was also harvested to make turpentine.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Kerkrade Botanic Garden.
Planted as an ornamental.
Seeds, raw or cooked.
The resin acts as an antiseptic, diuretic, produces redness of the skin by dilating blood capillaries and can be used to treat parasitic worms.
Resin, called turpentine, used in paints.
In 1827 the English doctor and botanist Nathaniel Wallich brought seeds from British India to England. Since that time many trees have been raised for botanic gardens and parks across Europe.
Those sensitive to pines can get dermatitis from the resin and other parts of the tree.
Details
| Description: | Conifer, 30-50 m, a striking, fast-growing, evergreen pine with long, blue-grey-green, recurved needles and 36 cm long, blue-grey cones that later become brown. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Afghanistan, bhutan, china (tibet [or xizang], yunnan), india, myanmar, nepal, pakistan |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic evergreen) |
| Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |