The Hispaniolan Pine (Pinus occidentalis) is a pine endemic to the island of Hispaniola, where it is the predominant species in the Hispaniolan pine forests of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Hispaniolan Pines are found mixed with broadleaf trees from 850 metres elevation to 2100 metres elevation, and occur in pure stands above 2100 metres elevation up to the 3087 m summit of Pico Duarte, the highest point on the island. They are sometimes found in the lowland Hispaniolan moist forests ecoregion, in areas where poor acidic laterite soils predominate.
It is a medium-sized tree, growing to 20-30 m tall with an open crown. The leaves are dark green, needle-like, in fascicles of ,,5, 11-20 cm long and 0.9-1.3 mm thick. The cones are 5-8 cm long, glossy brown, with a small prickle on each scale pointing forward; they mature in about 18 months and open to release the seeds, which are 4-5 mm long with a 15 mm wing.
Symbiotic relationships with ectomycorrhizal fungi enable Hispaniolan Pines to grow on shallow, infertile soils.
The closely related Cuban Pine (P. cubensis), native to eastern Cuba, is treated as synonymous by some botanists.
Famous quotes containing the word pine:
“Strange that so few ever come to the woods to see how the pine lives and grows and spires, lifting its evergreen arms to the light,—to see its perfect success; but most are content to behold it in the shape of many broad boards brought to market, and deem that its true success! But the pine is no more lumber than man is, and to be made into boards and houses is no more its true and highest use than the truest use of a man is to be cut down and made into manure.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)