The unusual flattened needles, absence of ray tracheids and other unusual wood characters make it unique
within the genus. Since its description in 1921 there has been considerable controversy over its classification
with some authorities placing it in the monotypic genus Ducampopinus[].

Common Name:

General Information

Pinus krempfii is an evergreen tree with a broad domed crown comprising many large branches; it can grow 35 - 55 metres tall. The bole can be up to 200cm in diameter and is often buttressed[].
Due to its rarity, the tree is protected legally from commercial exploitation, though illegal logging is believed to take place at times. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Pinus krempfii is a localized endemic with a restricted habitat at moderate elevations in southern Vietnam. Although its estimated extent of occurrence is within the threshold for Endangered and its area of occupancy is also likely to be less than 500 km2, there are more than five locations known and the subpopulations are not currently considered severely fragmented. It therefore is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - southern Vietnam

Habitat

An emergent tree in monsoonal mixed evergreen forest, often in sites having black-grey, deep humus soils or humus-rich loamy soils along streams; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus krempfii is found at moderate elevations in a monsoonal region of tropical Vietnam. The mean annual temperature is 19 - 23°c, with a mean anual rainfall above 1,500mm. The plant is not very cold-hardy, being damaged by temperatures around freezing[].
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ].
Plants can regenerate in the deep shade of the forest on deep, humus-rich soils, though regeneration is much better in more open situations[].
Mature seed cones are 4 - 9cm long and 3 - 6cm wide Cones are produced in spring, maturing 15 - 18 months later[]. The seeds are released whilst the cones are still on the tree[].
A long-lived species, some specimens are believed to be more than 1,000 years old[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The seeds are 4 - 5mm long.

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

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant 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[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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[].

Other Uses

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

An oleoresin of good quality is obtained from the trees, though yields are often low[, , ]. The resin is obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. The oleoresin is distilled to give turpentine and rosin[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[, ]. It has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].

The wood is said to have similar qualities to Pinus kesiya. The following Is a description of Pinus kesiya wood and its uses.
The texture is medium to fairly coarse and uneven; the grain straight; growth rings are distinct. The wood is light to moderately heavy; soft; not very durble. It seasons quickly with very little risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It saws easily and can be worked to a smooth surface with all tools, but the high resin content may cause dulling of tool edges; nailing and screwing properties are good; gluing is correct; the wood takes paints and varnishes well. It is easy to cut into smooth, tight veneer. The wood is used as a general purpose, softwood timber for construction, furniture, boxes, flooring, joinery, poles, mine props etc[, , ]. It is also suitable for ship and boat building, agricultural implements, turnery, veneer, plywood and railway sleepers[].
The wood is used for the manufacture of particle board and pulp, but its usefulness depends on the quality of the wood[].
The wood is used as fuel wood, for the production of charcoal and for torches[].

Propagation

Seed - some highland provenances have a slight temperature dormancy, and it is recommended to cool down imbibed seed for 2 - 3 weeks in a refrigerator before sowing[]. Pre-soaking the seed in warm water at 40 - 50°c, then cooling it down for a night enhances germination[]. Sowing in sand in a seedbed and transplanting into polythene tubes is most common[]. Germination is quite fast for pre-treated seed - usually 5 - 20 days[]. Time in the nursery is 6 months to 1 year, planting out when the plants are 14 - 20 cm tall[]. Seedlings may already be suitable for transplanting after 4 - 6 months[].
Successful natural regeneration is only possible where a relatively large amount of sunlight reaches the ground[].
The seeds can be stored for several years, provided they are kept dry, cold and in an airtight container[].
Air-layering[].
Top cleft grafting[].
Mass propagation by rooting cuttings from hedged orchards is technically possible but not yet operational on a large scale[].

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