Sugar Pine

Pinus lambertiana

Physical Characteristics

Pinus lambertiana is an evergreen Tree growing to 75 m (246ft 1in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

South-western N. America - California to Oregon.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Gum Sweetener Seed - raw or cooked[1, 2, 62, 63, 92, 257]. A good size, up to 15mm x 10mm[200]. A pleasant sweet nutty flavour[11, 183], with a hint of resin[2]. The nut, together with the shell, can be pulverised into a nut butter[84]. A sugar is obtained from boiling off the water in the sap[1, 2, 63, 92, 94]. Some caution is advised since it is laxative if used in large quantities[95]. A sweet sugar-like substance exudes from wounds made in the heartwood of the tree[81, 82, 183] and also from the cones. It is sometimes used for sweetening foods, though in large quantities it is laxative[2, 183]. The pitch obtained from the trunk is allowed to harden and is then used as a chewing gum[257]. A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[200].

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Laxative Ophthalmic Poultice The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient and vermifuge[4]. 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[4]. 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[4]. Externally it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc and is used in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers[4]. The sap is carminative and laxative[257]. The dried sap powder has been eaten in the treatment of stomach gas, constipation, ulcers etc[46, 61, 84, 92, 94]. It has also been used to make eye drops to treat sore eyes[257].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[222].