Pinus oocarpa


Pinus oocarpa is a species of pine tree native to Mexico and Central America. It is the national tree of Honduras, where it is known as ocote. Common names include ocote chino, pino amarillo, pino avellano, Mexican yellow pine, egg-cone pine and hazelnut pine. It appears that it was the progenitor species that served as the ancestor for some of the other pines of Mexico.
Pinus oocarpa is the national tree of Honduras.

Habitat and range

This species ranges from latitudes of 14° to 29° north, including western Mexico, Guatemala and the higher elevations of Honduras, El Salvador and northwestern Nicaragua. An average temperature of and annual rainfall of are needed for best development. Preferred elevations are above sea level. In El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua it grows above. Pinus oocarpa var. trifoliata grows between above sea level.

Uses

It is an important source of commercial timber in Honduras and Central America. Pinus oocarpa was introduced for commercial production of wood for the paper industry: in Ecuador, Kenya, Zambia, Colombia, Bolivia, Queensland, Brazil and South Africa. Due to the amount of resin within the tree, many Central Americans will use small shavings to start cooking fires.