Pinus nigra, Austrian Pine
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Coniferous Trees

Pinus nigra

Austrian Pine

Pinaceae
Central and southern Europe, Spain to Turkey; 300–6,600 feet (90–2,000 m)

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At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–60 feet (12–18 m)
Width20–40 feet (6–12 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Pinus nigra is a large, broad-pyramidal evergreen pine native to central and southern Europe and Asia Minor. Trees reach 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall and 20–40 feet (6–12 m) wide in cultivation; growth rate is 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) per year. The crown is broadly pyramidal and symmetrical when young, becoming broad and irregular with age, with horizontal to slightly ascending branches. Needles are in bundles of two, 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) long, stiff, dark green, and sharp-pointed, giving the foliage a coarse texture. Bark on the trunk is dark gray to black, deeply furrowed and plated. Cones are ovoid, 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) long, light brown, with a small, straight prickle on each scale. Diplodia tip blight has caused serious decline in P. nigra plantings across North America; infection occurs during wet weather at bud break and can be fatal to stressed trees. In Pacific Northwest lowland conditions, disease pressure is generally lower than in the Midwest and Northeast.

Native Range

Pinus nigra is native to central and southern Europe, from Spain and Morocco east through Italy, Austria, the Balkans, Turkey, and Cyprus, at elevations of 300–6,600 feet (90–2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen tree, windbreak, and screen in larger residential landscapes, parks, and urban sites, spaced 20–25 feet (6–7.6 m) from adjacent plants. The coarse dark foliage and bold form provide contrast in mixed conifer plantings. Tolerance of salt, pollution, and compacted soils makes it suitable for roadside and urban plantings where other large pines fail. Diplodia susceptibility should be weighed against site conditions before planting.

How to Identify

Pinus nigra is identified by two needles per fascicle, 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) long, stiff, sharp-pointed, dark green, and held in dense tufts at branch tips. The dark gray to black, deeply furrowed bark is distinctive among two-needled pines. Cones are ovoid, 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm), with small prickles. Distinguished from P. sylvestris by the dark green (not blue-green) needles and dark (not orange-red) upper bark; distinguished from P. densiflora by the stiffer needles and darker bark.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread20' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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S
O
N
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SpringSummer
Male strobili are yellow, releasing pollen in May–June. Female cones are ovoid, 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) long, ripening from green to light brown in the second season. Cones open at maturity to release winged seeds; production begins at 10–15 years and increases with age.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow (male strobili)

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing 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 Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandchalk
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20–30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established trees tolerate extended dry periods. Tolerates clay, sandy, alkaline, and salt-affected soils; one of the most soil-adaptable of the large pines. Diplodia tip blight is the most significant disease concern; infection is triggered by wet weather during bud break in spring. Brown, dead shoot tips in late spring indicate infection. Pruning out infected shoots and avoiding overhead irrigation during bud break reduces disease spread. Tolerates urban pollution and compacted soils better than most large conifers.

Pruning

No pruning is required to maintain the pyramidal form. Dead and infected branches should be removed promptly and disposed of off-site to reduce Diplodia inoculum. Lower branches can be removed to provide clearance; this does not harm the tree but alters the natural silhouette. The central leader develops naturally without training. Pruning into old wood without live foliage is not productive.

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic