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,
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
lumber 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 (Australia),
Brazil and
South Africa. Due to the amount of resin within the tree, many Central Americans will use small shavings to start cooking fires. This inspired some stores appealing to the
Bushcraft market to sell Pinus oocarpa Dust (or an Imitation made using
Fatwood from another species, or
Sawdust impregnated with another
Wax such as
Paraffin wax etc) as “Mayan Dust”
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Eguiluz, T. 1982. Clima y Distribución del género pinus en México. Distrito Federal. Mexico.
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Rzedowski, J. 1983. Vegetación de México. Distrito Federal, Mexico.
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Dvorak, W. S., G. R. Hodge, E. A. Gutiérrez, L. F. Osorio, F. S. Malan and T. K. Stanger. *2000. Conservation and Testing of Tropical and Subtropical Forest Species by the CAMCORE Cooperative. College of Natural Resources, NCSU. Raleigh, NC. USA.
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Martínez, Maximinio. 1978. Catálogo de nombres vulgares y científicos de plantas mexicanas.
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