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Pinus contorta
  • Beach Pine

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Pinus genus in the family Pinaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Pinus contorta has 0 edible uses listed
Pinus contorta has 0 material uses listed
Pinus contorta has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - raw or cooked[2][3][4][5][6]. It can be used fresh or dried. It is mashed into a pulp and made into cakes then baked[3]. Harvested in early spring, the taste is not unpleasant, but it develops a strong taste of turpentine as the season advances[2]. The inner bark is ready to harvest when the male cones are producing pollen[6]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.

Sap - collected in spring and used as a drink[5][7]. Seed - raw or cooked[6]. A gum is made from the pitch obtained from the trunk. It is allowed to harden and used for chewing[6].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[8].

Unknown part

Condiment
Gum

Inner bark

Unknown use

Sap

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[9].

The roots have been braided by the N. American Indians to make a rope[10]. 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[11]. A pitch obtained from this tree is used for waterproofing canoes, baskets, shoes etc and as a glue[12][13][10][6]. It has also been used to preserve wood, baskets etc[6]. The pitch is not a commercially important crop[12]. 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[12]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[14][12]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[12]. Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[12] and is separated by distillation[14][12]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for making varnish, medicinal etc[14]. 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[14]. Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc.

Wood - straight but coarse-grained, light, hard, strong, brittle[15][16]. It varies from light and soft to hard and heavy[17]. Easily worked, it is used for general construction, posts, poles, pulp etc[15][16][13][18][10][17]. It makes a good fuel, burning well even when green because it is rich in pitch[13][10].

Unknown part

Adhesive
Dye
Fuel
Herbicide
Pitch
String
Waterproofing
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Beach pine was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it especially for its antiseptic and healing properties on wounds, infections etc, and also for its beneficial effects upon the chest and lungs[6]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient, vermifuge and vulnerary[14][6]. It is a valuable remedy when taken internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and can be used both internally and externally in the treatment of rheumatic affections[14][6]. It is also used in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints[14][6]. Externally it is used in the form of liniment plasters and poultices in treating a range of skin complaints, wounds, boils etc[14][6]. A decoction of the young shoots has been used in the treatment of stomach pains[6]. The young buds have been chewed in the treatment of a sore throat[6].

The inner bark has been eaten as a blood purifier, diuretic and cathartic[6]. A decoction has been used as a tonic and in the treatment of coughs, colds, consumption and gonorrhoea[6].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Blood purifier
Cathartic
Diuretic
Pectoral
Poultice
Salve
TB
Tonic
VD
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[19]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[20]. 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[8]. 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[8]. 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[21].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pinus contorta. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[22][20]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[22]. Tolerates water-logged soils[21]. Succeeds in exposed maritime positions[23][21]. Established plants tolerate drought[8].

The coastal form of this species is a very fast growing tree, especially when young, with new growth of 1 metre or more per year[24]. The forms from coastal Washington and Oregon do best in Britain. The sub-species P. contorta latifolia is normally slower growing than the species type though it is sometimes faster in some inland sites at higher altitudes[24]. New growth takes place from mid-April until early July[24]. Trees are long-lived, with specimens 600 years old recorded[17]. Extensively cultivated for timber in N. Europe[25][8], this is an aggressive colonizing species that can form huge pure stands following a forest fire or clear-felling an area for timber[10]. Trees can be shrubby in habit when they are grown on poor sites[8]. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow below the tree[26]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[27]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[8]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[8]. This species hybridises in the wild with P. banksiana where their ranges overlap[10]. Trees come into flower at an early age, usually between 6 and 10 years[17]. Good seed crops are produced every 1 - 3 years[17]. The cones are 2 - 5cm long[16], they open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree[10], though many of the cones will remain unopened on the tree, preserving the vitality of the seeds until they are stimulated to open by excessively hot weather or a forest fire[16][17].

Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pinus contorta. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Pinus contorta.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pinus contorta
Genus
Pinus
Family
Pinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[6][14]
Material uses & Functions
[9][10][11][12][13][6][14][15][16][17][18]
Botanic
[20][15][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
15 x 8 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Pinus contorta 28263.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. ISBN 0-911010-54-8 (1962-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  6. ? 6.006.016.026.036.046.056.066.076.086.096.106.116.126.136.146.156.166.17 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.008.018.028.038.048.058.068.078.088.098.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.7 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.614.714.814.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.517.6 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  19. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.120.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  21. ? 21.021.121.2 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
  22. ? 22.022.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  23. ? Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
  24. ? 24.024.124.2 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  25. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  26. ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  27. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)

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Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Pinus_contorta&oldid=79388"
Facts about "Pinus contorta"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPinaceae +
Belongs to genusPinus +
Has common nameBeach Pine +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Inner bark +, Sap + and Seeds +
Has edible useSeasoning +, Gum + and Unknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone7 +
Has imagePinus contorta 28263.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useAdhesive +, Dye +, Fuel +, Herbicide +, Pitch +, String +, Waterproofing + and Wood +
Has mature height15 +
Has mature width8 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Blood purifier +, Cathartic +, Diuretic +, Pectoral +, Poultice +, Salve +, TB +, Tonic +, VD + and Vulnerary +
Has primary imagePinus contorta 28263.JPG +
Has search namepinus contorta + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy namePinus contorta +
Has water requirementshigh +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +