Pinus peuce

Balkan Pine, Macedonian Pine

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size is 30-60' tall, with a relatively narrow spread of 20-30' wide. May reach 100' tall in the wild. Narrow pyramidal to columnar shape. Branches ascending in youth, becoming more horizontal with age. Slow to moderate under ideal conditions.

Native Range

Native to the Balkans. Limited to areas of Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and the former Yugoslavia. Introduced in 1863.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are monoecious, greenish-yellow. Fruits in cones, 3-6" long, nearly cylindrical, terminal, short-stalked, solitary or in clusters of 3-4. Produced in abundance.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Dark green to grayish needles in 5s, stiff, densely bundled, 3-4" long, pointing forward. Thin, gray bark, becoming scaly with age.

Culture and Care

Needs full sun and moist soil with good drainage. Quite adaptable. Some drought tolerance once established. Some drought tolerance once established. Adaptable. Dislikes shade and poorly-drained wet areas. Resistant to Verticillium wilt.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

Suggested Uses

Makes a handsome specimen or accent plant.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA

The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.

Pinus peuce 'Glauca' // Blue Macedonian Pine, Blue Balkan Pine
Tree. An evergreen tree with a sturdy, upright pyramidal form to 25-50' tall. Twisted, silvery-blue needles are 4" long, very densely borne. Makes a great blue-green specimen or accent plant for sunny areas. Zone 4.
BT001078