Short-Leaf Pine
Pinus echinata
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.
Pinus echinata is an evergreen Tree growing to 35 m (114ft 10in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 35
Where it is found
Old fields and woods in dry or sandy soils. The best specimens are found on fine sandy loam or silt loam soils.
Eastern N. America - New York to Florida and Texas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient 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. 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. A tea made from the inner bark is emetic. A cold tea made from the buds of the plant is vermifuge. A tea made from the pitch in the trunk is laxative. It is used in the treatment of kidney ailments and TB.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
TB: Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating: 3
A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles. 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. A source of turpentine, but it is not being exploited for this. 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. 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. 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 making varnish, medicinal etc. 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. Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc. Wood - very variable in quality, it is usually coarse grained, hard, strong and heavy. It weighs 38lb per cubic foot. A valuable timber in its native range because it is less resinous than most pines and is easily worked. It is used for general construction, veneer, low-grade furniture, lumber and pulp. The wood weighs 38lb per cubic foot.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Herbicide: Plants or plant extracts that can inhibit the growth of other plants.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Specimen. Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils. Established plants tolerate drought. This species is fairly fast-growing in its native habitat, where it reaches seed-bearing age in 20 - 25 years. It is not very successful and is quite slow growing in Britain, it has not been recorded as coning here. The seed takes two summers to mature, the cones are 4 - 6cm long, opening and shedding their seed whilst still attached to the tree. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby inhibiting the growth of other plants below the tree. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 6-8
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people.