Austrian Pine
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 50-60' tall and 20-40' wide in the landscape, but grows to 100' in nature. Densely pyramidal to a large, broad, flat-topped tree at maturity. Develops low, stout, spreading branches, becoming quite picturesque. Medium growth rate, 35-50' after 20-30 years.

Native Range

Native to Europe, from Austria to central Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia. Introduced 1759.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers, male flowers clustered and yellow, female flowers yellow-green. Fruits in cones, solitary or in clusters, sub-sessile, ovoid, conical, 2-3" long, 1-1.25" wide before opening, initially tawny-yellow becoming brown, scales about 1" long, transversely keeled near the apex which often ends in a persistent prickle.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Needles are in pairs, very stiff, sharp, pointed, lustrous dark green, 3-5(6)" long, with a 1/2" long sheath at the base. Large, resinous, 0.5-1.0" terminal buds at branch tips. Notable Bark: Bark has dark brown furrows, usually with gray or gray-brown mottled, flattened ridges, quite attractive, one of the handsomest pines for bark. Has a rough, short trunk.

Culture and Care

Adaptable - withstands city conditions better than other pines, resists heat and drought, will stand some dryness and exposure. Tolerant of soils, will succeed in fairly heavy clay and alkaline soils if moist. Tolerates seaside conditions. Zone 3-7. Severe dieback in Midwestern and Eastern states, attributed to Diplodia tip blight. Also pine nematodes, transmitted by a beetle, can plug up the vascular system causing the entire plant to die, sometimes in a single season.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Develops its real character in old age when the branches become spreading and the bark colors develop fully. Very cold tolerant, air pollution tolerant. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Not recommended for OH/KY due to severe problems with Diplodia tip blight fungus, which begins to kill lower branches first, then works its way up each year during rainy seasons. Disease starts after several good years, when cone production starts.

Suggested Uses

Used as a specimen tree, screen or windbreak. Can also be used for mass plantings. However, not recommended because of severe problems with Diplodia tip blight.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA