Dwarf Mountain Pine Data Sheet

• Common name: Dwarf mountain pine

• Latin name: Pinus Pumilio

• Genus: Pinus

• Height: 5 m (16 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 1–4

• Conservation status: Least concern

Pinus Pumilio is commonly known as the Dwarf mountain pine, is a Conifer native to Southern Europe. Its range extends across the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines and the Balkans.

This tree is generally found at low to medium altitudes, mostly from 200 m (660 ft) to 2,700 m (8,850 ft).

The Dwarf mountain pine is a small conifer reaching a maximum height of 5 m (16 ft). The bark is fairly smooth and dark brown. The Needles are short and bottle brush like reaching 3 inches long. The needles are dark green. The cones are small, 5 cm long which start out green, maturing to a deep brown colour. The cones are scaled, each scale containing a winged seed.

The Dwarf mountain pine is closely related to the Mountain pine and subspecies Pinus Mugo Uncinata and Pinus Mugo Rotundata, which all share many of its characteristics.

The Cones and buds are used to make pine syrup for use in cooking.

This tree is a widely used ornamental plant in private gardens and can be used for container planting and low rise hedging. It is becoming very popular with the bonsai crowd.

Growth Habit

Dwarf Mountain pine shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Yearly height increases of 0.4–0.8 ft are common beyond season 2.

These were sown this year. Plants are 1 inch tall.

Saplings are in pots. I recommend they are separated into their own 4" pots when you receive them. Growth rate is medium. Plants can be kept in a cool conservatory, windowsill or outside over the winter months.

Fully hardy off to minus 18°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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