Ponderosa Pine, Washoe pine

Pinus ponderosa

Physical Characteristics

Pinus ponderosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower in 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

Western N. America - British Columbia to N. Mexico.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Gum Inner bark - raw or cooked[257]. Mucilaginous[105, 161, 213]. Best harvested in the spring[257]. The inner bark can be eaten fresh, but is more often dried, ground into a powder and either used as a thickener in soups or is mixed with flour for making bread etc[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[63, 64, 105, 226, 257]. Rich in oil, the seed has a slightly resinous flavour. Quite small, it is only about 8mm long[200]. The seed can be crushed into a meal and used in making bread etc[213]. The resin has been chewed as a gum[226, 257]. Young male cones have been chewed for the juice[257]. A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[200].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Diuretic Febrifuge Ophthalmic Pectoral Poultice Rubefacient Salve Skin Vermifuge Vulnerary Ponderosa pine was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who valued it especially for its antiseptic and vulnerary properties, using it to treat a range of skin problems, cuts, wounds, burns etc[257]. It was also valued for its beneficial effect upon the respiratory system and was used to treat various chest and lung complaints[257]. 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 branches are used in herbal steam baths as a treatment for muscular pains[257]. A decoction of the plant tops has been used in the treatment of internal bleeding and high fevers[257]. An infusion of the dried buds has been used as an eye wash[257].

Known Hazards

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