Pine, Swiss Stone
Pinus cembra
Pinaceae - Pine
Description
Leaves: Needles in groups of 5, more or less twisted; 2" to 4" long; thin and stiff, but soft to the touch; medium green to bluish green outside, inside covered with lengthwise rows of fine, white lines; finely toothed edges; evergreen, remain on tree 4-5 years.
Twigs/buds: Twigs covered with fine, orange-brown hairs at first, becoming glabrous and brown. Buds 1/3" to 1/2" long; pointed.
Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a woody cone; short-stalked; 2" to 3" long; ovoid; purple-green to purple-brown when mature; thick, non-pointed scales; can remain closed on the tree for up to 3 years; scales do not open when ripe, rather seeds are released by animals (birds, squirrels) pulling off scales; large, wingless, edible seeds.
Bark: Gray-green and smooth on younger stems; scaly, ridged, and grayish when mature.
Wood: Little information available.
General: Native to mountains of central Europe and portions of Asia; not Utah. Narrow, pyramidal tree when young, growing fairly slow and not getting too big (up to 30' tall). Does well on a variety of site but prefers well-drained soils. Very shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: Uncommon in Utah. I have seen a young tree doing well at the Utah Botanical Center Arboretum in Kaysville. Good tight canopy that does not get too big for landscape. Zones 3-7.
Cultivars: 'Columnaris', 'Stricta'.
Characteristics
General
Family | Pinaceae - Pine |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 3-7 |
Type | Conifer |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
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Mature Height | Medium |
Longevity | High |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Pyramidal |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | Medium |
Drought | Medium |
Poor Drainage | Medium |
Alkalinity | Medium |
Transplanting | Medium |