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Home > Pine > Austrian Pine

Austrian Pine

The Austrian Pine also called the black pine is one of the toughest pine species widely spread across southern and eastern Mediterranean Europe as well as the mountainous regions of North Africa. These pine trees have gained prominence in the Midwestern US states due to their adaptability, bold texture, and fullness of foliage.

Austrian Pine

Austrian Pine

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Pinus
Subgenus Pinus
Scientific Name Pinus nigra
Austrian Pine Christmas Tree

Austrian Pine Christmas Tree

Austrian Pine Bonsai

Austrian Pine Bonsai

Quick Information

Other Names Corsican Pine, Pin noir (French), Pino Nigro (Spanish)
Subspecies Pinus nigra subsp. nigra, Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii, Pinus nigra subsp. laricio, Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana, Pinus nigra subsp. dalmatica
Size 66-180 ft (20-55 m) tall, spread of 20-40 ft at maturity
Identification Leaves (Needles): Dark green, 4-6 inches long, two needles in each fascicle

Cones: Ovoid, 2-4 inches long, scales are rounded; turn from green to yellow-buff or gray-buff upon maturity; dark gray seeds with yellow-buff wings

Bark: Gray/yellowish-brown; have scaly plates, fissures increase with age

Tree Type Evergreen
Distribution/Range Southern, southeastern, and southwestern Europe; Turkey, Cyprus, northern Morocco, and northern Algeria; from Crimea (Ukraine), through the coastal areas of Black Sea to Krasnodar (Russia)
Hardiness Zones 4-7
Growth Rate Medium to fast; 13-24 inches per year
Lifespan Long-lived; more than 500 years
Growing Conditions Winter Conditions: Can withstand temperatures down to -30° C

Summer Conditions: Hot and humid

Rain: From 610-1020 mm per year

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil Requirements: Alkaline, acidic, loamy, sandy, moist, clayey, and well-drained; somewhat tolerant to drought

Diseases and Pests Root rots caused by Pythium debaryanum, Phytophthora cactorum, and Rhizoctonia solani; Dothistroma needle blight, Diplodia tip blight, Lophodermium needle cast caused by fungal pathogens; pine weevils, beetles, and aphids cause some damage; seedlings are often harmed by rabbits
Flowering/Fruiting Dispersal of pollens and receptivity of ovulate strobili take place during May-June; staminate strobili fall off within a few week after dispersal; fertilization occurs 12-13 months after pollination
Breeding System Monoecious
Seed Production Seeds are borne after reaching 15-40 years; seed dispersal takes place during October-November in the second season
Seedling Development Easily grows from seeds, can be transplanted
Wildlife Value Provides nesting sites and shelters for birds including owls; squirrels and numerous bird species feed upon the seeds
Varieties/Cultivars Austrian pine (‘Austriaca’), Turkish black pine (‘Caramanica’), Italian black pine (‘Italica’), Crimean pine (‘Pallasiana’), Dwarf Austrian pine (‘Hornibrookiana’), Atlas Mountains black pine (‘Mauretanica’), Corsican pine (‘Maritima’), Pyrenean pine (‘Salzmannii’)
Uses Timber is used for fuel, paper manufacturing, construction; as ornamental trees in parks and gardens; occasionally as bonsai and Christmas trees; also used for windbreaks
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Austrian Pine Tree

Austrian Pine Tree

Austrian Pines

Austrian Pines

Austrian Pine Bark

Austrian Pine Bark

Austrian Black Pine

Austrian Black Pine

Interesting Facts

  • In the ancient times, the Romans considered the Austrian pines sacred and worshiped the trees.
  • Shelterbelts comprising millions of Austrian pine trees were planted in the Great Plains to prevent soil erosion during the Dust Bowl.
  • In New Zealand, Austrian pines are recognized as an invasive species because it displaces or destroys the plant communities inhabiting the tussock grassland.
Black Pine Tree

Black Pine Tree

Dwarf Austrian Pine

Dwarf Austrian Pine

Austrian Pine Cone

Austrian Pine Cone

Austrian Pine Needles

Austrian Pine Needles

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_nigra
  2. https://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/media/atlas/Pinus_nigra.pdf
  3. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=898
  4. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pinus-nigra/
  5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42386/2976817

Published on November 9th 2016 by admin under Pine.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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