Chinese White Pine Network (www.xabps.net) shares: The other name of white pine is three-needle pine, (scientific name: Pinus bungeana Zucc.) which is an evergreen tree. Its branches grow in whorls, winter buds are prominent with numerous bud scales arranged like tiles. Young branches have needle leaves that grow on the jointed leaf cushions at the branch-leaf junction. Each pine needle is surrounded by a thick cuticle layer and a waxy outer membrane, which reduces water loss from the pine tree and ensures that this species can survive in very dry environments. The cones mature in the autumn of the second year. It is one of China's unique tree species, with various tree shapes, deep green and majestic appearance, distinct characteristics, and has long become an excellent tree species for urban and garden greening in North China region. In recent years, the white pine has been introduced to the United States and draws world attention.
Ecological Environment
It is a light-loving tree species, tolerant to poor soil and relatively dry and cold climate; it grows well in cool climate, deep, fertile calcareous soil and loess. It loves sunlight, is drought-resistant, tolerant to dry and poor soil, and has strong cold resistance. It is one of the main coniferous tree species in the pine genus that can adapt to calcareous loess and slightly saline-alkali soil. It grows most luxuriantly in deep, fertile, sunny, warm, and well-drained areas. It has strong resistance to carbon dioxide. Generally, white pines grow in mountainous limestone soils formed at altitudes of 500-1000 meters, but they can also grow on cool-climate acidic stone mountains or loess. They can adapt to dry climates down to -30°C and soils with pH values of 7.5-8. They can grow in limestone regions but cannot grow in poorly drained or waterlogged places. They have strong resistance to sulfur dioxide and dust pollution.
Geographic Distribution
The white pine is a unique tree species of China, found in Shanxi (Lüliang Mountains, Zhongtiao Mountains, Taihang Mountains), western Henan, Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi, southern Gansu and Tianshui Maijishan, northern Jiangyou Gunwu Mountain in Sichuan, and western Hubei, etc. It is distributed in the southern Taihang Mountains, Zhongtiao Mountains, Lüliang Mountains, Qinling Mountains, Xiaolong Mountains, Min Mountains, Daba Mountains, Funiu Mountains, Xiong'er Mountains, Shennongjia and other mountainous areas. There are natural pure forests in Dason岭at the border of Henan, Xiaolong Mountain in Gansu, Guwu Mountain in Jiangyou, Sichuan, etc. It is cultivated in Suzhou, Hangzhou, Hengyang and other places.