PINACE^ 393 



and glaucous young shoots, widely spreading leaves, and smooth 

 cones. P. Ayacahuite has occasionally glabrous shoots, but the 

 leaves are more slender and the cone-scales have reflexed tips, 

 especially at the base. P. Armandi is known by the more decided 

 bend at the base of the leaves, the stouter cones, and by the 

 more loosely arranged male flowers. For the characters which 

 separate P. excelsa and P. Peuke, see under the latter species. 



Native of the temperate Himalaya at 6,000-12,500 ft. eleva- 

 tion, extending westward to Afghanistan and Kafiristan and 

 eastward to Nepal. Introduced by Lambert about 1823, who 

 raised plants at Boyton, Wilts. 



Wood 28-30 lb. per cu. ft., resinous, with numerous scattered 

 resin-ducts, and many fine medullary rays of irregular size. Heart- 

 wood reddish, sapwood creamy white. The wood, which is fairly 

 hard and durable, works and finishes well. It is used for building 

 purposes, the indoor finish of houses, sleepers, planking, furniture, 

 tea-boxes, torches, and firewood. First-class rosin and turpentine 

 are obtained by distillation of the resin procured by tapping. 

 Tapping operations are conducted on two sides of the trees for 

 three years. The trees are then rested three years, after which 

 the other sides are tapped for a similar period, a ridge of sound 

 bark being left between each two cuts. This tapping at three- 

 year intervals goes on for an indefinite period. The resin is said 

 to run less freely than from P. longifolia, but to be of better 

 quahty. The heartwood does not deteriorate owing to the trees 

 being tapped, and trees are not easily kiQed if the work is carefully 

 executed. Next to Cedrus Deodara this is the most important 

 coniferous timber tree of the Himalaya. From the roots an oil 

 is obtained which is used to anoint the arms and legs of natives 

 to keep off water insects when working in the rice-fields. During 

 dry winter seasons there is a copious sweet manna-hke exudation 

 from the leaves, which is collected and eaten by the natives. 



P. excelsa reproduces itself freely in the Himalaya from 

 self-sown seeds, and in open places quickly takes possession of 

 grass and other land. Except in the early stage full fight is 

 necessary for its proper development. Under cultivation in this 

 country it forms a handsome decorative tree with large, hori- 

 zontal branches developing from the lower part of the trunk. 

 In exposed positions the top becomes thin and weak when the 

 tree is 25-40 ft. high, a sheltered position is therefore desirable 

 for isolated specimens. The Bhotan pine does not appear to 

 have been tried here under forest conditions, but would probably 

 meet with a measure of success. The timber from isolated trees 

 is coarse and knotty. Soil and conditions suitable for P. Strobus 

 suit this species. As it is rather difficult to transplant, per- 

 manent planting should be carried out when the young trees are 

 below 2 ft. high. It is said to be subject in the Himalaya to 



