Armand’s pine has a high economic value, with the wood being used for building. It is a popular ornamental and architectural tree and is considered a symbol of immortality and longevity in Chinese culture. Adrien René Franchet is responsible for the plant’s first description, written in 1884. Its common name Armand’s pine honors the French missionary Père David Armand.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Pinus armandii, the Armand pine or Chinese white pine, is a species of pine native to China, occurring from southern Shanxi west to southern Gansu and south to Yunnan, with outlying populations in Anhui. It grows at altitudes of 2200–3000 m in Taiwan, and it also extends a short distance into northern Burma. In Chinese it is known as “Mount Hua pine” (华山松).
It is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves (‘needles’) are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 8–20 cm (3+1⁄4–7+3⁄4 in) long. The cones are 9–22 cm (3+1⁄2–8+3⁄4 in) long and 6–8 cm (2+1⁄4–3+1⁄4 in) broad, with stout, thick scales. The seeds are large, 10–16 mm (0.39–0.63 in) long and have only a vestigial wing; they are dispersed by spotted nutcrackers. The cones mature in their second year, this is a juvenile female cone:
Varieties
The species has two or three varieties:
- Pinus armandii var. armandii. All the range except for the populations below.
- Pinus armandii var. mastersiana. Mountains of central Taiwan.
- Pinus armandii var. dabeshanensis. The Dabie Mountains on the Anhui-Hubei border. Alternatively, this variety may be treated as a separate species, Pinus dabeshanensis (Dabie Mountains pine). To add further confusion, Flora of China lists this as P. fenzeliana var. dabeshanensis.
IUCN has listed var. dabeshanensis (assessed as Pinus dabeshanensis) as vulnerable and var. mastersiana as endangered.
Pinus armandii has also been reported in the past from Hainan off the south coast of China, and two islands off southern Japan, but these pines differ in a number of features and are now treated as distinct species, Hainan white pine (Pinus fenzeliana) and Yakushima white pine (Pinus amamiana) respectively.
II. How to Grow and Care
Armand’s pine is a hardy, low-maintenance conifer, generally considered easy to care for. It requires well-draining soil and consistent moisture, particularly when young or during dry spells. Special care should be given to its need for full sun, as armand’s pine thrives best with ample sunlight. As they mature, armand’s pine becomes more drought-tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Sunlight
Armand’s pine thrives best in conditions of full sun, where it can receive uninterrupted direct sunlight for the majority of the day. This level of light is optimal for the plant’s growth, ensuring robust health and vigor. While armand’s pine is adaptable to some variations in light exposure, prolonged periods of shade or low light may impede its growth, possibly leading to reduced vitality and less resilience against pests or diseases. Armand’s pine possesses no unique adaptive traits for adjusting to light conditions; therefore, outdoor planting should prioritize open areas where the plant will receive maximum sunlight. As armand’s pine are typically not indoor plants, no indoor planting advice is necessary.
Temperature
The armand’s pine is mostly native to the northern hemisphere and can withstand many challenging environmental conditions. Tolerant of temperatures ranging between -60 to 50 ℃, making it suitable for hardiness zones 11 and below, this is a plant that grows best in well-drained, deep and moist soil.
Watering
Armand’s pine thrives in its native mountainous regions, where it has adapted to withstand periodic dry spells. This species exhibits a preference for moderate moisture and is drought-tolerant, requiring watering once every 1-2 weeks to maintain its health. As an evergreen plant, armand’s pine retains its needles year-round, necessitating consistent soil moisture levels to support its continuous growth. Cultivated outdoors more often than indoors, armand’s pine’s water needs are influenced by the growing season; during active growth periods in spring and summer, attentive watering supports robust development.
Soil
Armand’s pine can grow in a variety of different soil types, including bare mineral soil, sandy soil, volcanic ash, calcareous soil, limestone soil, and everything from dusty soil to red soil. Since it is resistant to drought, it will even grow in barren landscapes. However, it grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil. In the case of too much alkalinity, needles of potted plants will turn yellow and fall, so it is best to use natural mountain soil in pots and containers.
Fertilizing
For armand’s pine, utilize balanced nutrition fertilizers to enhance growth and vigor. Spring application boosts health, while autumn prep promotes winter resilience. Apply quarterly, in line with size – a cup for young trees, scaling up for maturity. Caution: over-fertilizing risks damage; always follow package directions. For optimal results, ensure even distribution around drip line avoiding trunk contact. Adjust schedules based on growth stages and seasonal responses, with reduced quantities as armand’s pine matures to prevent nutrient overload.
Planting Instructions
Armand’s pine is best planted in early spring. Ideally, use healthy and vigorous seedlings with soil balls, as this can greatly improve the survival rate. In the case of many lateral roots, the deep main root can be cut. Otherwise, the root system should be protected to avoid damage.
Plant in a high, dry, well-drained, and well-ventilated place, with loose soil. In low-lying places with accumulated water, or places with sticky soil, try building a platform or changing the soil before planting. The planting pit should be treated with a basal fertilizer before planting. Newly planted large seedlings should be supported to prevent them being blown down by the wind.
Before planting, excess branches should be pruned off. Protect the plant’s shape from damage as much as possible, as this will help to restore growth at a later stage.
Ideally, plant indoor potted plants in the spring, and repot every two or three years in the late fall or early spring. Repotting too frequently will lead to the death of the plant. If the plant is growing weakly, find out the cause of this and change the flowerpot soil, or replant in a larger pot.
Cut back on water before repotting, so as to keep the soil slightly dry. Remove the soil ball from the pot, keeping it whole, and then prune away any old roots from the bottom and sides. Remove some of the old soil from the middle of the soil ball, replace with new soil, apply a small amount of basal fertilizer, and then cover the plant with new soil. Ensure a suitable pot size – a deep pot will easily accumulate water, leading to root rot.
Pruning
For an indoor potted plant, any dead, diseased or damaged branches should be removed. You can then adjust the tree’s shape by pruning branches, pinching buds, and trimming leaves, giving you a better ornamental effect. Prune the plant before all of its needles fall off, so as to obtain a compact shape, richer lateral and side branches, and a better form overall. Pruning should be done during the dormancy period, so as to prevent excess loss of sap and damage to the plant’s vigor.
For a plant in a garden, dense lateral branches should be pruned so as to improve the survival rate. Remove excess lateral branches during the vigorous growth period based on needs, focusing on encouraging the trunk to grow tall and straight. Cut off any diseased or dead branches right away, so as to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Propagation
Armand’s pine is propagated by sowing seeds. To ensure successful germination, it’s important to use fresh seeds and maintain a stratification period to overcome any dormancy. Plant the seeds in well-drained soil, mimicking their natural environment, and provide consistent moisture without waterlogging. The seedlings require careful handling as they establish, with adequate light and protection from extreme conditions.
Transplanting
The dormant period, often winter’s calm, is the optimal season for giving armand’s pine a new home, providing it a fresh start without the stress of active growth. Choose a sun-kissed, well-drained site to welcome armand’s pine, while ensuring it’s shielded from harsh winds. Gentle persuasion during relocation can do wonders for its acclimatization.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Uses
Pinus armandii seeds are harvested and sold as pine nuts. Research indicates that these nuts can cause pine mouth syndrome. The wood is used for general building purposes; the species is important in forestry plantations in some parts of China. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens in Europe and North America. The scientific name commemorates the French missionary and naturalist Armand David, who first introduced it to Europe.
- Chinese culture
The tree, because of its evergreen foliage, is considered by the Chinese as an emblem of longevity and immortality. Its resin is considered an animated soul-substance, the counterpart of blood in men and animals. In ancient China, Taoist seekers of immortality consumed much of the tree’s resin, hoping thereby to prolong life. Legend says that Qiu Sheng (仇生) who lived at the time of King Chengtang of Shang (商成汤王) (reigned 1675–1646 BCE), founder of the Shang Dynasty, was indebted for his longevity to pine-resin. T
he Shouxing, Chinese god of longevity (寿星), is usually represented standing at the foot of a pine, while a fairy-crane perches on a branch of the tree. In traditional pictures of “happiness, honor and longevity” (福禄寿三星), the pine-tree represents longevity, in the same manner as the bat symbolizes good fortune due to its homonymic association with the Chinese character for good luck (福). A fungus, that the Chinese call Fu Ling grows on the root of the pine-tree, and is believed by the Chinese to suppress all sensations of hunger, cure various diseases, and lengthen life.
