Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex D.Don

Horticultural & Botanical History

According to Hilliers’ introduced to Britain by Lord Auckland in 1839.  ‘A species from the Himalayas, principally on the banks of the Sutlej, where it forms a tree fifty feet in height, and a bushy compact cone when young ; but as the tree becomes older, the branches take a more horizontal direction, and twist themselves in every direction.  Major Madden states the bark of old trees to be of a silvery grey, falling off in large flukes.  The leaves are stated to be on native trees four to six inches long; our growing specimens are not over half that length, arranged in threes, and of a dark green colour.  The cones are large, eight or ten inches in length, by five to six in width.  The seed, which ripens in India in September and October, is used largely as an article of food by the natives.  This Pine is hardy, and though possessing no particular beauty, is useful in collections as a distinct species.’  [Florist and Fruitist p.170/1854].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues under the name Pinus gerardiana [C.60/1850] and in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues as Pinus auklandiana [C.55/1845].  Pinus gerardiana ws included in a consignment of plants sent from Kew by John Bidwill in November 1843 [AJCP].  It seems likely that most if not all of these plants were sent to Camden so this is a possible source.

Notes