During the period of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, the escalating demands of the Japanese industrial and military sectors precipitated a strategic initiative to develop a domestic pine resin industry aimed at reducing dependence on imports. In the early 1930s, forestry experts initially advocated for the exploitation of extant plantations predominantly comprised of lowland Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) and Ryukyu pine (P. luchuensis Mayr). However, preliminary experiments conducted in 1933 demonstrated that the native highland Taiwan red pine (P. taiwanensis Hayata) exhibited significantly higher resin yields and produced turpentine of superior quality, which was a critical raw material for the synthesis of camphor–a substance of considerable industrial and military importance. Consequently, the focus of resin extraction was redirected toward the high-elevation stands of P. taiwanensis. In 1937, the Forestry Department established an experimental forest in Mt. Basian region to facilitate large-scale field experiments. Resource exploitation in these mountainous areas presented considerable logistical challenges, including difficult terrain and inadequate transportation infrastructure. To mitigate these challenges, existing logging infrastructure in Mt. Basian was utilized, and long-term afforestation plans targeting the cultivation of Taiwan red pine in more accessible lowland areas were devised. Concurrently, resin- tapping methodologies were refined to enhance the per-tree resin yield. The outbreak of the Sino- Japanese War in 1937 and the consequent prioritization of military needs disrupted the execution of long-term silvicultural plans. Intensive resin harvesting practices were employed to maximize yield, resulting in the reduction of the productive lifespan of pine stands and raising concerns about the sustainability of natural resin sources. In response to the depletion of highland pine resources, the Forestry Research Institute expanded its considerations to include lowland Masson pine and Ryukyu pine as alternative resin suppliers. Additionally, private companies, such as Arakawa Company, adaptively broadened their extraction operations from Taiwan red pine to encompass lowland Masson pine plantations. Formal pine resin production in Taiwan commenced in 1939, with output increasing during the wartime period to satisfy local demand primarily. However, the constraints imposed by wartime conditions, coupled with slower-than-anticipated advancements in synthetic camphor production, limited the full realization of the industry’s potential. The cessation of large-scale resin extraction coincided with Japan’s defeat in 1945. Presently, the residual evidence of resin-tapping scars on Taiwan red pines in Mt. Basian area serves as an enduring testament to this distinctive chapter in Taiwan’s industrial and forestry history.