271 



pyramidal outline. The leaves are borne in bundles of five and 

 remain in good condition for about three years. They are usually 

 about 4 inches long, stiffer in appearance than those of F. exceha, 

 and densely arranged about the points of the branches. The 

 ■cylindrical cones are 4-6 inches long and l|-2 inches in diameter, 

 resinous, expanding when ripe and liberating the seeds, but 

 remaining on the trees for several months afterwards. It agrees 

 with P. excelsa in having the young wood shining and glabrous. 

 Although it grows fairly Avell as an ornamental tree in this 



ea 



In some Continental countries^ however^ there seems to be a 

 disposition to substitute it for the Weymouth pine {P. Strohus, 

 Linn.) where the latter tree suffers from the attacks of pine aphis. 

 The timber of P. Peuke is used for building purposes in its native 

 country, but it does not affect the timber market elsewhere. 



p. Pinaster, Solander. — Maritime Pine, Seaside Pine, Cluster 

 Pine, Pin a Trocliet, Pin de Bordeaux, Pin des Landes, Pin 



M 



Med 



from Spain to Greece, TV'here, under tlie most faTourable con- 

 ditions, it forms a fine tree 100-120 feet high with a girtli of 

 12-14 feet. It is conspicuous by reason of its thick, reddish- 

 brown bark, long-, stout leaves, and large, woody cones. The 

 leaves are in pairs, each 5-6 inches long-, enclosed at the base by 

 a sheath up to an inch in length which remains intact during the 

 life of tlie leaves, usually about three years. The mature cones are 

 bright brown, 4-7 inches long and 1|-2| inches wide, often 

 remaining unopen upon the tree for several years after the seeds 

 are ripe. They may bo borne singly, two or three together, or in 

 large clusters. Although the timber is not of a first-rate quality, 

 it is used for building purposes, street paving, railway sleepers 

 and telegraph j)oles, and is in great demand for j)it props. Per- 

 haps the chief economic use of the tree, however, is asa source of 

 resin and turpentine, French resin and turpentine being derived 

 largely, if not entirely, from tliis species. It is used in the manu- 

 facture of artificial camphor, colours, etc., and the dry products 

 principnlly in the manufacture of soap, paper, varnishes, lino- 

 leum, electric cables, distillation of oils and other purposes. 



It grows well in various parts of England, particularly m the 

 southern maritime counties, where it withstands considerable 

 exposure to winds, ^^umerous finely developed trees are to be 

 found on exposed cliffs at Mount Edgcumbe, whilst shelter pro- 

 vided by this tree and Cupresstis 7Jiacrocari>a makes it possible to 

 cultivate many tender exotics successfully in the Scilly Islands. 

 It has been idanted on siind dunes. in some places, and a vigorous 

 young plantation exists quite close to the shore on the Margam 

 Estate near Port Talbot. When fully exposed to roug-h winds it 

 develops with a dense, bushy habit, height growth being com- 

 ])aratively slow, but where the effects of shelter are felt, fairly 

 ranid growth in height is maintained. 



In south-west France the value of this species is well known, 

 and the story of the conversion of an almost barren tract of land 



