The pine trees are a wealth of curvy branches and pine needles, which are excellent for constructing shealter and providing bedding. Unfortuntally, Raphael knows that curvy branches are vitually useless without some straight branches and pine trees don't have many of those. Of course, trees on volcanic islands are known to be exceptional for growing straight branches.
For the time being, Raphael can huddle quite well in the hallow of a tree. But it's just not as nice as it could be.
Oh, and there's a pile of canned goods in the hallow too. Kind of weird that.