Pinus ayacahuite aka Ayacahuite Pine

Pinus ayacahuite, or Mexican white pine, is an evergreen tree. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range runs from Mexico south to Honduras. It also grows in Guatemala and El Salvador. In the wild, it forms part of mixed mountain forests. Some trees rise above the surrounding forest canopy. Others grow in groups or small groves on moist sites.

Trees often reach 98–115 feet [30–35 metres] in height. Some reach about 180 feet [55 metres]. The trunk can reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] across. It may rise a long way before branches begin. The tree keeps its leaves through the year. Young trees may grow more than one foot [0.3 metres] yearly. Older trees tend to grow much more slowly. Its large size suits the canopy of a woodland garden.

Each tree bears both male and female reproductive structures. Wind carries the pollen between trees. The sources describe the species as not self-fertile. They also report poor growth from self-fertilized seed. Seed ripens in October. The cones open while they remain on the tree. They then release their seeds. The oil-rich seeds have a resin-like taste. People eat them raw or cooked. Each seed measures about 0.026 feet [0.008 metres] long.

This pine grows in cool mountain valleys and on sheltered slopes. Wild sites can have deep, rich soil. In gardens, it needs full sun and soil that drains well. Light sandy or gravelly loam suits it. It also grows in soils with few nutrients. Mildly acid to neutral soil is suitable. It dislikes wet ground with poor drainage. Established trees withstand drought, though they also grow in moist soil. Reported cold tolerance reaches about 5°F [−15°C]. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9. Young plants need winter protection during their first year or two.

People harvest this tree for timber, food, medicine, and other materials. Its needles can yield tan or green dye. Rain can wash compounds from the needles that hinder some seeds from sprouting. Heavy logging reduces mature trees in some areas. Yet the species remains widespread across many mountain forests. The cited 2013 IUCN assessment lists it as Least Concern. It becomes scarce near the southern edge of its range.