Murray Pine

A species of the genus Pine from the family Pinaceae. It grows in the western part of North America. Distributed from Mexican California to Yukon, Canada. The range lies from the Pacific Ocean and extends beyond the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. It rises to 3300 m above sea level. In some areas it occurs exclusively in pure stands.

Synonyms: Pinus contorta var. tnurrayana (Balf.) Engelm., P. inops В., Р. contorta var. latifolia Engelm., P. murrayana Balfour

In cultivation since 1854. It is a tree up to 25 m tall with a very dense and regularly pyramidal crown. Annual growth 25-40 cm. Because of its dense crown it holds a lot of snow and can be uprooted. Bark thin, light-brown, smooth or slightly fissured. Trunk straight, branches arise at a right or almost right angle. Shoots yellow-brown, glabrous. One-year growth consists of 2-3 internodes, therefore whorled branching is absent. Lower branches die off but remain on the tree for a long time. Buds spindle-shaped, resinous, 1.2-15 cm long, reddish-brown in color.

Flowers in late May, together with the unfolding of the needles. Needles are green, blunt-pointed, paired, 5-7 cm long, often twisted, stiff, and remain on the tree for 4-5 years.

Cones brown or reddish-brown, up to 6 cm long and 2-3 cm thick, elongate-ovoid in shape, oblique, appressed to the shoot. They reach full development in the second year in late September - early October, and remain on the tree for up to 10 years. Begin bearing at 6-10 years. Seed scales thin, rounded upward, 12-18 mm long and 6-9 mm wide. The apophyses are yellowish-brown with a rhombic base, thickened; the tip of the apophysis takes the form of a thin curved prickle and breaks off easily. Seeds up to 2 mm long, reddish-brown, with a wing 14 mm long that is tapered to a point at the end.

Has a shallow root system, therefore prone to windthrow.

Hardiness zone 5a.

Site: light-demanding, undemanding to soil, but on fresh sandy or loamy sod-podzolic soil it may surpass Scots pine in growth rate. Xerophytic, but grows well on moist soil. Shade-tolerant, frost-hardy. Poorly tolerant of air pollution.

Planting: plants should be transplanted before 5 years of age. Distance between seedlings at least 4-6 m, depth 0.8-1 m. The root collar should be placed at ground level. If the soil is sandy, it is recommended to mix the top layer of soil with peat and clay in a ratio of 2:1:2. During planting it is recommended to add nitroammophoska or humus soil and during the first 2 years after planting apply 30-40 g/m² of mineral fertilizer.

Diseases and pests: not resistant to shoot weevil and root rot.

Propagation: propagated by seed. Seed germination 30-80%.

Uses: can be used for cultivation in forestry. Applied for landscaping parks or green areas around cities. The wood is used for making sleepers (railroad ties), mine props, poles and other construction or support materials. Produces high-quality pulp. In landscape design it is used as a specimen tree on open sites in gardens or parks, and is also recommended for group plantings and in Japanese gardens.