14.- Pine tree at the Natural Auditorium

General characteristics

The white pine tree is the Mediterranean tree par excellence. It has needle like leaves, grouped in pairs. Most of the pine cones remain in the tree till they rot, which makes them easy to differentiate from other types of pine trees. White pine trees make up approximately 20% of Valencian forests. They can reach between 250-300 years old, and are easily found in isolation.

Uses

This type is a great producer of resin, a raw material used in the chemical industry for making varnishes, white spirits, glues, etc.

Curiosities

In case of a fire, the pine cones toss out and open up in order to spread their seeds and hence regenerate the burnt forest.

Pine tree at the Natural Auditorium

It is well preserved, with a natural shape, divided in three when it reaches 2,5 metres. It has its low branches quite high up, common to this type of pine tree. The trunk is covered by a strongly striated bark which protects it, and one can notice that it had pruning injuries that have already healed.

CONDITION: INJURIES: From pruning, but all have healed. BARK DISCHARGES: Dried resin from injuries and pruning. OBSERVATIONS: Severe pruning on the northeastern side, due to being too close to the electrical aereal line.

ASSOCIATED LIFE: Diversity of birds around and traces of rabbits.

ENVIRONMENT:

• NATURAL: Natural environment with indigenous vegetation and permeable ground.
• ANTHROPIC (man-made): Near a wall from a cultivated grove surrounded by a metallic fence, and close to the aereal electrical line.

Ethnobotany and / or associated history:

This pine is found in the Natural Auditorium in the hermitage, inside the Community Forest Park; this is a project put into action by the Col.lectiu Nostra Terra, with direct and indirect help by a great number of Potries neighbours; it is conceived as a leisure area where cultural activities have been taking place, such as poetry readings, monologues, concerts of silence, live music, and more …
With this project the village has recovered a magnificent space, and aims at dedicating it to the reforestation, environmental education and peace, and where the spirituality of the place and nature go hand in hand.

 On foot Access from parking: