Although belonging to the group of low ester pine needle oils, pinus pumilio oil deserves a good deal of attention since its unique odor is due to trace amounts of substances which apparently are absent in ordinary pine needle oils. It is generally believed that the characteristic odor of pinus Pumilio oil is due to traces of lower aliphatic aldehydes and perhaps certain cyclic aldehydes. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of Pinus Purnilio, also called Pinus Montana or Pinus Mugo. It is one of many different types of conifer which bears the popular name mountain pine. The tree grows extensively in central Europe, particularly in Austria, Yugoslavia, northern Italy and the Balkans. Tirol is the most important producer.