PINE SAP, RESIN AND TURPENTINE

Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. It's more of a liquid, like honey or less viscous than honey. Sap is the sugary secretion from plants as well as trees. Sap is known as "Jaygun" in local language of Kotli Sattian.

Sap is not to be confused with latex, resin or cell sap; it is a separate substance, separately produced, and with different components and functions.

Sap is like the lifeblood of a tree. It helps carry nutrients through the tree to where they are needed most. Roots are constantly pulling in water, minerals and other nutrients that need to be spread throughout the tree, especially to the leaves. Leaves, meanwhile, are producing simple sugars and need a way to transport through the tree fibers and get rid of their waste products. Sap is used to carry these compounds to where they are needed. It moves much slower than blood does, and is of a much thicker consistency.

                          Pine Sap is dripping out after trimming the tree in Kotli Sattian

                               

Pine resin or pitch is the secretion from pine trees caused by cuts in the tree trunk or from broken limbs. The trees secrete the resin to seal up any cuts or damage to the tree.
In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a "solid or highly viscous substance" of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. They are often mixtures of organic compounds, principally terpenes. Many plants, particularly woody plants, produce resin in response to injury. The resin acts as a bandage protecting the plant from invading insects and pathogens.

                                                               Pine Resin 
                                                     

Pitch: think of an intermediate between a liquid and a complete solid. Pitch is like that crystallized honey you find in your pantry after it’s been there for quite a while.

Difference between Sap and Resin

Sap is more of a liquid that is less viscous than honey. Resin is a sticky solid form of secretion that is highly valued for their chemical properties and associated uses. Sap is made of sugar and water carried in the xylem and phloem cells of the trees. Resin is a liquid found in the outer cells of the trees.

Turpentine, a substance characteristic of pine trees and other conifers, is composed of a mixture of resins and volatile oils. Turpentine is the volatile oil distilled from pine resin, which itself is obtained by tapping trees of the genus Pinus. 

Turpentine (also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine and colloquially turps). It is mainly used as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.

Turpentine oil is made from the resin of certain pine trees. It is used as medicine. Don't confuse turpentine oil with gum turpentine, which is the resin. Turpentine oil is applied to the skin for joint pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, and toothaches.

 TURPENTINE USES, BENEFITS & DOSAGE
                                   
 USES OF STICKY PINE SAP

 By : Anjum Satti

PINE NUTS PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN

A pine cone is an organ of the pine tree containing its reproductive structures. Pine trees are only one of the conifer, or "cone-bearing," plants; others include cedars, firs, cypresses, and redwoods. Pine cones, like the reproductive organs of other conifers, come in male and female varieties.

Pine nuts (Chilghoza) are an edible seed, found inside pine cones.

In Pakistan, Chilgoza is found in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan Provinces, Murree and Kotli Sattian hills in the Punjab province, the Northern Areas (Gilgit Agency) and Kashmir. Chilgoza pine is a hardy tree and can endure excessive drought, high winds, and severe cold in the winter. Nearly 20 percent of the Pakistani forests comprise of Chilgoza trees.

Pakistan is among the world top pine nut producers. In season 2015/2016, Pakistan produced 3,000 MT(kernel basis) of pine nuts, equals to that in previous season, representing 15% of the global production. China remained the largest pine nut producer despite the sharp decrease, with a crop of 5,000 Mt, accounting for 26% of world production. The second largest producer is the Russian Federation (4,050 MT, 21% share), followed by North Korea, Afghanistan and Pakistan (3.000 MT, 15% share). Pakistani pine nuts were exported to China, US, UK, Scandinavian countries, Middle East and Europe.

Pine tree is very slow growing. In year 2013, it was assessed as Near Threatened (NT) species under IUCN red list (IUCN, 2015). The Chilgoza forests of Sulaiman Range are the world’s largest pure stand covering a total area about 260 km2. This forest provides habitat to the Markhor species which is also endangered under IUCN red list. The forest has provided an essential source of livelihoods for local communities and has the potential to reduce soil erosion.
However, the forests are under great threat due to uncontrolled cutting and extensive grazing on land. Communities cut down trees for space, for fuel and for livelihood. Middlemen make huge profits while locals earn little. Therefore they resort to cutting trees for timber rather than collecting nuts. As demand grows, pine nuts are increasingly collected unsustainably. Instead of leaving a few cones thus allowing natural regeneration, communities gather all the cones they find.
NaturePakistan (WWF) has set up a project to cut out the middlemen who buy chilgozas from villagers. Also the harvesters get 2000 rupees for each tree they fell currently, but there is now a 10,000 rupee fine for cutting down a young tree.