Common Name:

General Information

Pinus maximinoi is an evergreen tree with an open, pyramidal crow becoming more rounded with age; it usually grows 20 - 35 metres tall, occasionally reaching 50 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be unbranched for around half of the tree's height and 70 - 90cm in diameter, occasionally to 100cm[].
An important timber tree in most of its range, where it is exploited in combination with other tall growing pines. It has also been the subject of experimental forestry in various subtropical and tropical countries[, ]
Pinus maximinoi has a very extensive range in southern Mexico and Central America and is common in many places. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' 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

C. America - Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala north to western Mexico (Sinaloa)

Habitat

Dry to moist mixed oak and conifer forest in the north of its range, moist subtropical forests and as a canopy tree in cloud forests in Mesoamerica; at elevations from 450 - 2,800 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus maximinoi has a very wide ecological amplitude, occurring from semi arid to wet subtropical forests in Mexico, well up into the cooler cloud forests of Mesoamerica; and at elevations from 450 - 2,800 metres[]. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being only able to withstand occasional light frosts[]. Mean annual precipitation ranges from around 900 - 2,500mm in Mesoamerica, somewhat less in Mexico, with most of it falling in the growing season[].
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[, ]. This species is found in the wild on a variety of well-drained soils[, ].
The ovoid to long-ovate seed cones are 4 - 12cm × 4 - 8cm, maturing at the end of their second growing season, then shedding their seeds and falling soon after[, ].
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)[].
Seeds dark brown, 4-6 × 3-4 mm[].

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:

This species is a natural pioner within its native range, it is an early seral plant in secondary woodland and is often found moving in to new gaps within the forest[, ].
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[].

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[].
Oil of 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 thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This 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 relatively soft and light and easily worked and is used for construction (beams and planks), carpentry and joinery, crates, containers and boxes, woodware, tool handles, and matches, as well as various types of board, plywood and pulp[, ].

Propagation

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[].

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