  Tall,
straight, and with crowns like up-side-down umbrellas, Paraná
Pines are a symbol of San Pedro. They can reach 30-40 m tall,
emerging above all the other trees in the forest and creating an
extraordinarily beautiful landscape.
The Paraná Pine is found in the highest parts of Misiones,
between 400 and 900 m above sea level. In the forest, the Paraná
Pine is often found with plants that include yerba mate (Ilex
paraguariensis), Timbo (Enterolobium contortisiliquum),
Cañafistola (Peltophorum dubium), Grapia (Apuleia
leiocarpa), various species of laurels (Lauraceae), myrtles
(Myrtaceae), and tree ferns (Alsophila setosa).
In winter, the Paraná Pine produces very nutritious seeds.
They are eaten by animals and people. Many years ago, the
indigenous Kaingangues ate these seeds.
Currently, the Paraná Pine is protected by Provincial Law No
2380. Under this law, the species is declared a Provincial
Natural Monument, and natural trees cannot be harvested or
destroyed.
However, as other native trees are not protected, Paraná
Pines often remain isolated on otherwise deforested land.
 In
Misiones, in general, people don’t have a very good relationship
with Paraná Pine. In the town of San Pedro, Paraná Pines are
found in urban neighbourhoods, often right beside houses. Many
people are afraid the tree or its branches will fall on their
house. Some people kill the trees on purpose so that the trees
will be declared dangerous and will be removed. It is against
the law to sell wood from natural Paraná Pines in Misiones, but
both legal and clandestine sawmills traffic illegally in this
species.
There are three parks that protect natural Paraná Pines in
Argentina: Cruce Caballero Provincial Park (600 ha), Araucaria
Provincial Park (92 ha), and San Antonio Strict Nature Reserve
(400 ha). Within these protected areas, however, regeneration of
Paraná Pine is difficult, because of seed collection and perhaps
other reasons. The Paraná Pine is Critically Endangered and it
is at risk of being lost from its natural environment.
Our actions
In our school visits, we try to generate empathy with the
Paraná Pine. We emphasize the animals that depend on Paraná
Pine, and the economic and biodiversity value of Paraná Pine
plantations.
What else needs to be done?
It is very important to encourage plantations of Paraná Pine
within its natural distribution. The Paraná Pine has excellent
wood, but it grows a little more slowly than exotic pines (Pinus
spp.) and doesn’t provide an annual income like tobacco does. A
greater short-term financial incentive would encourage farmers
to plant Paraná Pine as part of a diversified farm.
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