Masson's Pine

[Audio] Masson's Pine Pinus massoniana. Masson's Pine.

[Audio] Masson's Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree reaching 82- 148 feet in height, with a broad, rounded crown of long branches. The bark starts off thick and gray, at the base, and becomes smooth and reddish towards the crown of the tree. The needle-like leaves are borne in fascicles of 2 (sometimes 3), growing slightly twisted, and are 0.5 to 0.6 inches ( 12- 20 centimeters) long. Seed cones grow in dense clusters, maturing two years after pollination, growing ovoid, conical-ovoid, or ovoid-cylindric in shape. Cones measure 1.6 to 2.8 inches ( 4 - 7 centimeters) long and 1 to 1.6 inches ( 2.5 - 4 centimeters) wide. They are pendulous, shortly pedunculate, green when young, turning chestnut brown at maturity. Masson's Pine It is native to Taiwan, as well as a wide area of central and southern China, including Hong Kong, and northern Vietnam, growing at low to moderate altitudes, mostly below 1,500 meters or ( 4,900 ft) but rarely up to 2,000 meters or ( 6,600 ft) above sea level. The species is a common tree used in plantation forestry for replacing or compensating for the loss of the natural forest in southern China. Chinese rosin is obtained mainly from the turpentine of Pinus massoniana. Its Lumber is mainly used for the paper industry..

[Audio] How to grow Masson's Pine The seeds mature during October, so that's the best time to collect them. After collection, separate the seeds from the pine cones, and soak them in water for 24 hours. Since the seed is non dormant, you can just sow the soaked seed in your desired planting location, whether it be a pot, or directly in the ground. Take good care of the pine seedlings as they grow. They will eventually become a fairly large tree, depending on your climate..

[Audio] Where to grow Masson's Pine The Masson's Pine grows best in temperate and subtropical climates, thriving in USDA zones 7 to 9, and Sunset zones 3 to 18. The Masson's pine can thrive in Western Europe, including great Britain. Avoid planting in tropical climates in Asia, Africa, and South America..