Pinus peuce
Pinus peuce (Macedonian pine or Balkan pine) (Serbo-Croatian/Macedonian: молика, molika; Bulgarian: бяла мура, Byala mura) is a species of pine native to the mountains of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, the extreme southwest of Serbia, and the extreme north of Greece, growing typically at (600-) 1,000-2,200 (-2,300) m altitude. It often reaches the alpine tree line in this area. The mature size is up to 35–40 m height, and 1.5 m trunk diameter. However, the height of the tree diminishes strongly near the upper forest limit and may even obtain shrub sizes. It is a  member of the white pine group, "Pinus" subgenus "Strobus", and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6–11 cm long. Its pine cones are mostly 8–16 cm long, occasionally up to 20 cm long, green at first, becoming yellow-brown when mature, with broad, flat to downcurved scales. The 6–7 mm long seeds have a 2 cm wing and can be wind-dispersed, but are also very often dispersed by spotted nutcrackers. Use. Macedonian pine is one of the most valuable conifer species in the Balkan  Peninsula. Its durable wood is highly valued in construction, furniture production, wood-carving and cooperage. The tree is also exceptionally good at adapting to severe mountain climate conditions, which makes it a valuable species for afforestation on high terrain for protection against erosion. The local population use "P. peuce" resin to cure wounds, pectoral, skin and stomach diseases, varicose veins and other illnesses. Macedonian pine is also a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, giving reliable steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites. It is very tolerant of severe winter cold, hardy down to  at least -45 °C, and also of wind exposure. It is locally naturalised in Punkaharju in eastern Finland. Like other European and Asian white pines, Macedonian pine is very resistant to white pine blister rust ("Cronartium ribicola"). This fungal disease was accidentally introduced from Europe into North America, where it has caused severe mortality in the American native white pines (e.g. western white pine, sugar pine, whitebark pine) in many areas. Macedonian pine is of great value for research into hybridisation and genetic modification to develop rust resistance in these species; hybrids with eastern white pine inherit some resistance . Other. Synonyms include "Pinus cembra" var. "fruticosa" Griseb., "Pinus excelsa" var. "peuce" (Griseb.) Beissn., "Pinus peuce" var. "vermiculata" Christ, and Balkan pine.