Pinus bungeana

Taxonomy

P. bungeana is synonymous with the name Pinus excorticata, attributed to Lindley and Gordon in William Dallimore's Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae. Its name is derived from the surname "Bunge", as one of its early identifications was by botanist Alexander von Bunge in 1831 near Beijing.

P. bungeana is closely related to Pinus gerardiana, another pine species with flaking bark, but P. bungeana has stiffer needles and smaller cones.

Distribution and habitat

Pinus bungeana is native to temperate forests in the mountains of China, but it is also widely cultivated as an ornamental tree, especially for its metallic bark. It grows in the provinces of Shanxi, west Henan, south Gansu, south Hebei, north Sichuan, Shaanxi, west Shandong, and Hubei. It occurs in the wild on limestone rocks and south-facing slopes at relatively high elevations of 500–2,150 metres (1,640–7,050 ft), but has also been planted at lower elevations. In the northern portion of its range, it also occurs in acidic soil. As a light-demanding species, it usually grows in sites less suitable for other tree species.

It was introduced to England in 1843.

Ecology

Pollination of the lacebark pine occurs in the months of April and May, while seeds mature in October and November of the second year.

Uses

In China and Korea, the lacebark pine is traditionally planted near temples and cemeteries. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in classical gardens seeking to imitate Chinese gardens, in which it symbolizes longevity. It can also be seen in botanic gardens and often grows with multiple stems.

The wood of the lacebark pine is not commercially used as timber, but it is used locally by populations in northeast China for construction, furniture, and transport structures like pallets. The lacebark pine has edible seeds used in traditional Chinese medicine to provide relief for respiratory ailments.

Cultural significance

In 2009, P. bungeana was named the city tree of Baoji, China.