Himalayan Blue Pine is a dense evergreen tree, found in the Himalayas,
from Afghanistan to Tibet, and forms forests at altitudes of 1800-4300 m.
The tree is distinguished by its clusters of long cylindrical hanging
cones, and it needle-like blue-green leaves. The tree grows up to 50 m
tall, symmetric and pyramidal in shape. The bark is slate-grey which
becomes rough and shallowly fissured on old trees. Leaves are 15-20 cm
long, needle-like. Cones are 15-25 cm long, in clusters of 2-3. Cone
scales are wedge-shaped, wide near the apex - basal scales are usually
not, or only slightly, reflexed, very resinous. Its wood is highly
resinous, and is used for local contruction, carpentry and making
tea-chests. It is good as firewood, but the smoke is pungent due to the
resins. Flowering: April-June.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in Srinagar, Kashmir & Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
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The flower labeled Himalayan Blue Pine is ...