| Pinus peuce | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Trees in native environment,Malyovitsa,Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Genus: | Pinus |
| Subgenus: | P. subg.Strobus |
| Section: | P.sect. Quinquefoliae |
| Subsection: | P.subsect. Strobus |
| Species: | P. peuce |
| Binomial name | |
| Pinus peuce | |
 | |
| Distribution range ofPinus peuce | |
Pinus peuce (Macedonian pine[3] orBalkan pine[4]) (Serbo-Croatian andMacedonian: молика, molika;Bulgarian: бяла мура, byala mura) is a species ofpine native to the mountains ofNorth Macedonia,Bulgaria,Albania,Montenegro,Kosovo, the extreme southwest ofSerbia, and the extreme north ofGreece,[5][6][7] growing typically at (600-) 1,000-2,200 (-2,300) m altitude. It often reaches the alpinetree line in this area. The mature size is up to 35–40 m height, and 1.5 m trunk diameter.[5][6] However, the height of the tree diminishes strongly near the upper tree line and may even obtain shrub sizes.[8]
It is a member of thewhite pine group,Pinus subgenusStrobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6–11 cm long. Its pine cones are mostly 8–16 cm long, occasionally up to 20 cm long, green at first, becoming yellow-brown when mature, with broad, flat to downcurved scales. The 6–7 mm longseeds have a 2 cm wing and can be wind-dispersed, but are also very often dispersed byspotted nutcrackers.[5][6]
The species was first described in scientific literature byAugust Grisebach in 1844, based on field observations of montane pines onBaba Mountain, aboveBitola.[2]
Macedonian pine is one of the most valuableconifer species in theBalkan Peninsula. Its durable wood is highly valued inconstruction, furniture production,wood-carving andcooperage. The tree is also exceptionally good at adapting to severe mountain climate conditions, which makes it a valuable species forafforestation on high terrain for protection againsterosion. The local population useP. peuceresin to cure wounds,pectoral, skin and stomach diseases,varicose veins and other illnesses.[8]
Macedonian pine is also a popular ornamental tree inparks and largegardens, giving reliable steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites. It is very tolerant of severe winter cold, hardy down to at least -45 °C, and also of wind exposure. It is locallynaturalised inPunkaharju in eastern Finland.[6]
Like other European andAsian white pines, Macedonian pine is very resistant towhite pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola).[9][10] This fungal disease was accidentally introduced fromEurope intoNorth America, where it has caused severe mortality in the American native white pines (e.g.western white pine,sugar pine,whitebark pine) in many areas. Macedonian pine is of great value for research into hybridisation and genetic modification to develop rust resistance in these species; hybrids witheastern white pine inherit some resistance.[10]
Synonyms includePinus cembra var.fruticosa Griseb.,[11]Pinus excelsa var.peuce (Griseb.) Beissn.,[12]Pinus peuce var.vermiculata Christ,[10] and Balkan pine.[13]
