Austrian Pine

Pinus nigra

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Evergreen Tree

Plant Family: Pinaceae

Plant Description: Evergreen domed tree with dense, spreading branches. Has thick, irregular dark brown or black bark and dense, straight, dark green needles that are 3-6 inches long, borne in pairs. Bears long, yellow-brown female cones that mature in September to November. Requires full sun and well drained soil.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Tree - Evergreen

Plant Care: Tree - Evergreen (single-stemmed woody plants that keep their leaves during winter): Light pruning is required to maintain desired shape and to avoid branching problems such as double-leader stems. Evergreen trees can be difficult to establish. Adequate winter moisture is critical for the first 2-3 years until the roots establish. If there is a dry winter check the root ball with your finger for moisture before watering. Monitor for pests and diseases.

Video: Pruning Evergreen Trees - Spring Cleanup

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 50-80' tall x 25-40' wide

Utah Native: No

Nativar: No

Plant Select: No

Pollinator Favorite: No

Localscapes: Tree, Perimeter Plant

Evergreen: Yes

Foliage Interest: No

Foliage Colors: Dark Green, Green

Erosion Control: Yes

Ground Cover: No

Edible: Yes

Fire Wise: Unknown

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8

Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)

Irrigation Requirement:

Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)

Salt Tolerant: Yes

Deer Tolerant: Yes

Garden Location:

Design Path
- Design Ideas-East
- Design Ideas-West
Neighborhood Landscapes
- Gathering Area

Garden Staff Tips & Insights:

Edibility notes: Pine seeds are edible, though they tend to be quite small and difficult to collect. The bundles of new spring growth, sometimes called candles, are edible raw or cooked. They have a strong resinous flavor with a hint of citrus. Older needles can be steeped to make tea. The pollen can be collected and used as a seasoning or nutrient-rich flour additive. Young female cones can be cooked, pickled, or made into syrups or jams. The inner bark is edible and is used mostly as a survival food.

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter