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Coniferous Trees
Pinus cembra
Swiss stone pine
Pinaceae
Alps, Carpathians, Urals, and Siberia; 3,900–7,900 feet (1,200–2,400 m)
At a Glance
TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height35–50 feet (10.7–15 m)
Width15–25 feet (4.6–7.6 m)
Maturity35 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 - 8Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low
Overview
Pinus cembra is a slow-growing, narrowly columnar to broadly pyramidal evergreen pine native to the subalpine zones of Europe and central Asia. Trees reach 35–50 feet (10.7–15 m) tall and 15–25 feet (4.6–7.6 m) wide at maturity in cultivation; growth rate is 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year. The crown is dense and columnar when young, broadening with age. Needles are in bundles of five, 2.5–3.5 inches (6–9 cm) long, flexible, blue-green to gray-green with white stomatal lines on the inner surfaces. Needles persist for 3–5 years. Cones are ovoid, 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) long, violet-blue when young, ripening to brown in the second season; they do not open to release seeds and fall intact. Seeds are large, wingless, edible, and dispersed primarily by nutcrackers in the wild. Blister rust can affect five-needled pines; susceptibility in Pacific Northwest conditions should be considered at planting.
Native Range
Pinus cembra is native to the subalpine zones of the Alps and Carpathian Mountains in Europe, and the Ural Mountains and Siberia in Asia, at elevations of 3,900–7,900 feet (1,200–2,400 m). It is not native to the Pacific Northwest.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen tree in residential landscapes and parks, spaced 15–20 feet (4.6–6 m) from adjacent plants. The columnar form in youth makes it suitable for confined spaces that broader pines cannot occupy; eventual width of 15–25 feet (4.6–7.6 m) should be planned for. The non-opening, seed-bearing cones attract corvids and nutcrackers, bringing wildlife activity in natural settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height35' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 35 years
Colors
Flower Colors
red
purple
Foliage Colors
blue green
gray green
Fall Foliage Colors
no change
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~3 weeksJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummer
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
reddish-purple (male strobili)Foliage Description
blue-green to gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range4.5 - 7.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Low
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
30–40 years
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established