Pinus wallichiana
Himalayan Pine
Native to: Himalayas
Leaves: Evergreen; Needles (to 8” long) in bundles of five are upright when young but become slightly pendent as they age
Leaf color: Grey-green
Fruit: Slender cones (6-10” long) on 1-2” stalks droop as they mature to light brown
Mature size: Height of 30-50ft; Spread of 20-35ft
Growing conditions: Grow in moist, acidic, well-drained, sandy loams in full sun; Best sited in a protected location, but avoid areas with dry soils
Hardiness zone: 5-7
Permaculture use:
Landscape: Excellent ornamental pine that is somewhat similar in appearance to eastern white pine; 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
Food: Seed is edible raw or cooked; Honeydew from aphid infested leaves can be eaten as a manna; Manna-like substance that exudes from the leaves and twigs is eaten or used like honey; Vanilla flavoring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood
Medicine: 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; Wood is diaphoretic and stimulant; It is useful in treating burning of the body, cough, fainting and ulcers
Other Products: A commercial source of turpentine and tar; Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for making varnish, medicinal etc; Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc; Leaves are used as a stuffing for pillows etc; Tan or green dye is obtained from the needles; Good firewood but it gives off a pungent resinous smoke; Wood is rich in resin, it can be splintered and used as a torch
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c235 http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=pinus+wallichiana
