Hispaniolan Pine

Description

The Hispaniolan pine (Pinus occidentalis) is a species endemic to the Hispaniola region (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). This tree can reach a height of 40 meters and a diameter at breast height of 120 cm.

Apparently, it generally has a single upright trunk and a crown of spreading branches forming an irregular, open crown. Its bark, grayish-brown when mature, is thick, rough, and scaly, with deep fissures. Its pine cones take approximately 18 months to mature.

Formerly abundant across much of the island, along with the Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea), it is the only pine species on Hispaniola. It has been heavily exploited for its timber, used in particular for the construction of transmission poles, fence posts, construction timbers, crates, boxes, etc.

The oldest known tree of this species was at least 211 years old when it died.

Habitat

This tree is found in mountainous regions at an altitude of between 900 and 2,700 meters, sometimes even 3,200 meters, but sometimes below 900 meters. It grows on calcareous soils at low altitudes and on acidic clay soils in mountainous areas with high rainfall, between 1,200 and 2,300 mm per year.

In Haiti, it is present in the Massif du Nord, the Northwest Peninsula, the Central Plain, the Black Mountains, the Matheux Range, the Trou d’Eau Mountains, the Hotte Massif and La Gonâve, but especially in the Selle Massif (Pine Forest). In the Dominican Republic, it is found in particular in the Cordillera Central, the Sierra de Neiba and the Sierra de Bahoruco.

Threats

This species is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to intensive logging, as well as the ongoing illegal logging of these trees.

The La Selle Biosphere Reserve, home to the Forêt des Pins National Park in Haiti, has implemented a reforestation and community inclusion project to protect this species. In addition, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Spanish National Parks Agency (OAPN) have also supported the country through an ecosystem restoration program.