Common Name:

General Information

Pinus tropicalis is an evergreen tree with an irregular, open crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 75% of the tree's height, and around 180cm in diameter[].
The tree is an important regional source of timber, which is mainly used by local sawmills[]. It is harvested from the wild and also from cultivated plantations - it is mainly used in plantation forestry in Cuba, but also to a limited extent elsewhere[].
Despite extensive exploitation,Pinus tropicalis is still common in western Cuba. Regeneration seems to be good in many areas especially where it is protected from grazing pressures. Overexploitation for timber, however, remains a potential threat to the survival of naturally occurring (wild) subpopulations. In addition, where wild stands are cleared for timber, foresters sometimes replace them with plantings of other species, especially Pinus caribaea. The plant 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

Caribbean - western Cuba

Habitat

Savannahs and scrubland on coastal plains and low foothills, growing on very well-drained but nutrient-poor sandy or gravelly alluvial soils which are dry due to their rapid drainage; at elevations up to 300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus tropicalis is a plant of lowland areas in the tropical climate of Cuba. The mean annual precipitation is around 1,200mm and there is a prolonged dry season[]. The tree is not very cold tolerant and can be damaged by temperatures falling close to zero[].
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[, ].
The ovoid seed cones are 5 - 8cm long and up to 5cm wide; they take two growing seasons to mature. The cones open and release their seed whilst still attached to the tree, persisting on the tree for several years after opening[].
This is one of several Pinus species that have a juvenile life stage. After germinating, the seedlings produce secondary foliage but the central shoot does not elongate - at this stage the plant looks more like a bunchgrass than a pine. Especially when growing in shade, the plant can remain in this juvenile stage for several years, developing a large taproot but not increasing in height. If the light levels increase (due to removal of tree cover by fire, deforestation or some other reason) then the plant commences rapid height growth[].
This species is in part sympatric with Pinus caribaea, which is also found at higher elevations. Pine savannahs are open, grass-dominated lowland areas which burn frequently; Pinus tropicalis has an advantage over Pinus caribaea through its 'grass stage' by which the seedling can survive successive fires. Thus in natural environments it becomes frequently the only pine in this vegetation type[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

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

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 light grey-brown seeds are 5mm long and 4mm wide[].

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[].

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 dense and durable, but resinous[]. It is a regionally important source of timber[].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. 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[]. 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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