**Description**:
– Member of the white pine group, section Quinquefoliae
– Can grow up to 30m (100ft) or even 50m (160ft) tall
– Pyramidal shape with ascending branches when young
– Gray or brownish bark that reveals reddish inner bark
– Monoecious with male and female cones
**Uses**:
– Functions include water and soil conservation
– Every part of the plant has economic value
– Used in food, beverage, health preservation, and medicine
– Edible nuts sold commercially
– Pine nut oil has various health benefits
**Conservation**:
– Overexploitation threatens wild populations
– Destruction of forest ecosystems where it grows
– Important for the preservation of the Siberian tiger
– Associated with the spotted nutcracker for seed dispersal
– Plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance
**Cultivation**:
– Tolerant of various soil types
– Thrives in urban settings
– Cultivars include Glauca, Silveray, and Winton
– Good for afforestation in Northeast China
– Versatile wood used in construction, furniture, and more
**Geographic Distribution and Economic Value**:
– Native to eastern Asia
– Found in Korea, northeastern China, Mongolia, Russian Far East, and central Japan
– Grows at moderate elevations in the north
– Mountain tree at higher elevations in Japan
– China holds about 60% of the ancient woodland
– High economic and ecological value
– Used in various industries like food, health products, and cosmetics
– Seeds known as sea-pine nuts in traditional Chinese medicine
– Pine pollen has over 200 nutritional components
– Used for making turpentine resin, tannin, and pine needle oil