Pinus engelmannii Carr. in Northwestern Mexico: A review

Pinus engelmannii Carr., commonly known as real pine, Apache pine, Arizona long leaf pine and red pine, covers an area of about 2,450,000 ha in Mexico and extends along the Sierra Madre Occidental to the southwestern United States. It is one of the most important forest species in northwestern Mexico owing to its valuable wood properties, wide distribution and large timber volume harvested. It is widely harvested for lumber and also used in conservation and restoration programmes. The aim of this literature review is to provide a summary of relevant and current information about this species, its botanical classification, ecology, distribution, genetics, physiology, health, nursery reproduction, silviculture and management. Although the species is used in most conservation, restoration and commercial plantation programmes in northwestern Mexico, the available literature scarcely addresses many of the issues considered in this review. This indicates the need for further research to add to existing knowledge about Pinus engelmannii and thus improve the use and conservation of this important Pinaceae species in northwestern Mexico.