Pinus roxburghii seed

LATIN NAME: Pinus roxburghii

COMMON NAME: Chir Pine, Longleaf Indian Pine

Chir pine is a bold, impressive pine of the Himalayan foothills, instantly recognisable by its long, drooping needles. They grow in bundles of three, up to thirty centimetres long, a deep yellowish-green, and they hang and sway gracefully from the branches, giving the tree a soft, flowing outline. It grows tall and straight, reaching thirty metres or more, with a rounded crown of ascending branches and rough, thick, deeply fissured bark. In spring it bears large, oval cones that take two years to ripen, and the tree has a warm, resinous scent, especially on sunny days. It is a fine, stately pine with real presence.

Chir pine belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae, and it is native to the Himalayan region, from Afghanistan through northern India, Nepal and into Tibet, where it grows in open forests on dry slopes. It is a tough, fast-growing tree that thrives in warm, sunny, well-drained sites, and it is one of the most important pines of the region.

Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide

Growing chir pine from seed is straightforward and gives good results. The winged seeds sit inside the large cones, which open to release them. The seeds germinate readily in warm, light conditions, so sow them in late winter or spring on the surface of a tray of free-draining seed compost, cover them very lightly, and keep them warm, bright and evenly moist. Germination usually begins within two to four weeks. Pot the seedlings on as they grow and give them full sun and good drainage, protecting them from waterlogging. Once established, chir pine is tough, drought-tolerant and fast-growing, thriving in warm, sunny spots. A pine you have raised from seed will grow into a stately, resinous tree for a very long time.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

Chir pine has a significant place in forestry and ecological research in the Himalayan region. It is one of the most important timber and resin pines of northern India, and foresters have studied its growth, its tapping for resin and its management for many decades. The tree’s resin is a valuable product, used for turpentine and rosin, and researchers have studied the chemistry of chir pine resin and its uses in industry. In ecology, chir pine forests are studied for their role in the mountain landscape, including their relationships with fire, grazing and regeneration, and scientists have examined how these forests respond to changing climate and land use. For a tree that has supported mountain communities for centuries, chir pine has a rich and practical record of research.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

Ecologically, chir pine is a valuable tree of the mountain landscape. Its seeds and shelter support birds and wildlife, its dense canopy shades the forest floor, and it holds steep, dry slopes with its roots, protecting the soil.

Its economic value is considerable. The wood is used for construction, boxes, fuel and timber, and the resin is tapped to produce turpentine and rosin, important industrial products. The tree is also planted for reforestation and watershed protection in its native region, and it is grown as an ornamental in warm, dry climates. For a grower, chir pine is a fast, multi-purpose tree with real commercial value, and for a gardener it brings long, graceful needles and a strong, resinous character to a sunny site.