Pinus khasya Hook.f.

A large tree up to 45 m tall with a bole free of branches for 15-20 m and up to 100 cm in diameter, a thick, reticulately and deeply fissured bark, and often pruinose branchlets with a waxy bloom. Needles in bundles of (2-)3(-4), very slender and flexible, (10-)12-21(-25) cm long, bright grass green. Mature cones up to 3 together, pendulous, ovoid to ovoid-conical, (4-)5-8(-10) cm long, subsessile or on a short stalk up to 10 mm long; apophysis beaked or flattened with a short, blunt, deciduous umbo. Seed small with a short, 1.5-2.5 cm long wing. The union of P. khasya and P. insularis into P. kesiya has been argued, because of their different field characteristics and products, and some authors contend that P. kesiya has not been properly described.

In Sumatra ripe seeds are produced most abundantly between July and November, but viable seeds are produced throughout the year.

Benguet pine is locally common in northern Luzon, often occurring in open pure stands on steep slopes at elevations of 300-2700 m. The naturally occurring pines of South-East Asia (P. kesiya and P. merkusii) inhabit a wide range of forest and savanna habitats. They are pioneers and their natural range is extended by colonization following disturbances such as fire. They grow, for instance, scattered in fire-prone grassland and woodland. The trees are increasing in number in recently disturbed areas. They are strongly light-demanding and habitually grow in pure stands. Pines grow naturally in South-East Asia only in strongly seasonal environments.

Eastern India, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, northern Thailand and the Philippines (northern Luzon); planted throughout the tropics, in South-East Asia in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.

Successful natural regeneration is only possible where a relatively large amount of sunlight reaches the ground. In Sumatra ripe seeds are produced most abundantly between July and November, but viable seeds are produced throughout the year. Only cones that have just changed their colour from green to brown should be collected and air dried.

Seedlings of P. kesiya may already be suitable for transplanting after 4-6 months. Field planting is carried out at spacings of 4 m x 4 m (for resin production) or 3 m x 1-2 m (for timber production). In the Philippines Benguet pine is recommended as a shade tree for coffee plantations. It is planted at a spacing of 3 m x 3 m, and after 5-7 years, when the pines have reached a height of at least 4 m, young coffee is planted. Husbandry: Weeding is necessary for about 3 years until the canopies of the growing pine and coffee have completely overtopped the grasses. P. kesiya require more weeding than P. caribaea and P. oocarpa. In Thailand weeding in P. kesiya plantations is carried out 4 times a year. The prolonged ""grass stage"" often present in young trees of P. merkusii means increased weeding requirements when compared to P. caribaea, P. oocarpa and P. kesiya. P. kesiya is the preferred species for reforestation on highland sites in Thailand.

Pests: In the Philippines bark beetles (Ips calligraphus) may cause problems in plantations of P. kesiya, and pine shoot moths (Dioryctria rubella) in stands of P. kesiya. Pine shoot moth is effectively controlled by using the insecticides fenitrothion (0.1%) and fenvalerate (0.2%). The main pests in northern Sumatra are members of the Psychid and Geometrid families (e.g. Milionia basalis), shoot- and stem-boring Pyralids, and local squirrels.

The seeds can be stored for several years, provided they are kept dry, cold and in an airtight container. The weight of 1000 seeds of P. kesiya is 16-18 g.

Other services: Another viable agroforestry system in the Philippines is raising goats in forest of P. kesiya at a stocking rate of 4 goats/ha.

Fibre: It is used for the manufacture of particle board and pulp, but its usefulness depends on the quality of the wood. Gum or resin: Oleoresin of good quality is tapped from the trees. Timber: Benguet pine is a general purpose timber.