Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima)

Description: The Corsican pine is a fast growing, evergreen conifer, although it takes 4-5 years to get established. It has long, twisted needles which grow in pairs, and very young trees look like bottle brushes. It grows to about 115ft (35m).
	Myths and Legends	Facts, Figures and Uses
	The Vikings used pine to carve dragonhead prows for their longships. Pine has been used to celebrate and encourage the return of the Sun and is often found associated with birth. Resin had “protective magical power”. Pine trees are thought to be home to the fairies, wood-trolls and the Spirit King of forests in some countries. The Chinese planted pine trees on graves in order to strengthen the souls of the dead and protect the bodies from decay. In Korea, blind wizards called Pan-Su used pine (and peach) wands to dispel demons that lived in shady areas. Pine is also known as the Tree of Cybele. Legend tells that her lover, Atys, had an affair and then died of remorse. Cybele transformed him into a pine tree, cherishing it forever. To please Cybele, Jupiter decreed that the pine should remain ever-green.	This tree is a variety of Austrian pine, and is valued as a timber tree for its straight, cylindrical trunk. The mature cone is rounded and takes 2 years to ripen. Today, Corsican pine is used for pit props, general building work and plywood. Pine can be tapped for its sap /resin. If you distil sap (heat it and condense the vapour) you will get turpentine. The “rosin” is the sticky stuff that remains behind and it is good for many things like violin strings, paints and varnishes. Pine resin was once used for sealing-wax and to improve violin bows. It was also highly prized for “pitch” to seal boats. Pine has long been recognised as a powerful bronchial disinfectant and is used to ease respiratory problems. It has also been used to treat bladder and kidney problems and makes an excellent antiseptic.