Austrian Pine Data Sheet

• Common name: Austrian pine

• Latin name: Pinus Nigra

• Genus: Pinus

• Height: 55 m (180 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 4–7

• Conservation status: Least concern

Pinus nigra, commonly known as the Austrian pine, is a conifer native to south and south east Europe. Its range extends across Turkey, southern Italy, Sicily, Morocco and Algeria.

This tree is generally found in a wide range of altitudes, with a range from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Austrian pine is a large tree, 55 m (180 ft) tall, with a spread of 20 to 40 feet wide. The trunk diameter can exceed 2 m. The bark Is grey with some brown areas and becomes increasingly split and plated with age. The needles are around 10 cm long, very thin and light green in colour. The pine cones are scaled, 10 cm long and begin life as a dark green colour, changing to a yellowish brown colour at maturity. There are winged seeds between each cone scale which take 18 months to mature from pollination.

It can live up to, and beyond 300 years and has a moderate growth rate (up to 70 cm per year)

The Austrian Pine is closely related to the Turkish black pine and Italian black pine, which all share many of its characteristics.

The timber from this tree is used in construction, making paper and as a fuel source.

The tree is used in ornamental gardens and parkland. This species is often used for street plantations as it is salt tolerant and more resistant to the sodium run off from gritting lorries.

Growth Habit

Shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Yearly height increases of 40–80 cm are common in season 2 under the right conditions.

These were sown this year and are now prepping for their winter slumber. Plants are 2 - 3" tall.

Saplings are in pots. I recommend that they are separated into individual pots upon receipt.

Fully hardy off to minus 21°C or colder come autumn

Care Instructions

Keep free from competing weeds and never allow to completely dry out, water logging should also be avoided. Trees will perform best raised outdoors in full sunny position. The growth rate is medium and will soon need re-potting to beyond a 10" pot. Once the trees reach around 1 ft high they can be set in their final planting position.

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