Pinus cembra (Swiss Stone Pine)


Michael's Opinion

One of the nicest Pinus species we are able to grow in North America, a tough and hardy specimen. In Switzerland they are planted near houses and in gardens as symbols of good fortune.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciescembra
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginEurope and Southern Asia.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The seed which are easily extracted from the cone are highly nutritious and very tasty.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone 4 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone2a - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-32) - (-12)C
Temperature (°F)(-25) - 10
Height9-12 m
Spread4-6 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA medium sized tree, with dark green needles in bundles of 5, very soft to the touch. A very rounded form when mature.
ID CharacteristicUnlike many other pines, the Swiss Stone Pine remains thick and dense right down to the ground through most of its life. Very soft, dark green needles and brown cones with a purple tinge.
ShapeDensely columnar, pyramidal in youth, becoming open and rounded when mature.
LandscapeUseful as a specimen, mass planting or as a screen because of its narrow form.
PropagationSeed should be stratified in a moist medium for 90-270 days at 0-5°C.
CultivationRequires well-drained, loamy soil in full sun. Should be located in an open area with free air movement. It can germinate and establish itself on mineral soils or even rocky surfaces.
PestsLarge larch bark beetle, larch budmoth, scleroderris canker, and brown felt blight.
Notable SpecimensCentral Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHigher mountain locations, up to 2,850 m above sea level in sandy or rocky soil.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGrey-green and smooth when young, becoming grey-brown, ridged, largely scaled and furrowed with maturity.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionFoliar buds are grey-brown, ovate, acute, 6-13 mm long, and resinous.
Leaf DescriptionFive needles, remaining 4-5 years, rather stiff, straight and 5-7.6 cm long. Dark green outside, inner sides have bluish white stomatic lines.
Flower DescriptionIndividual flowers are either male or female, the plant is monoecious, though not self-fertile. Swiss Stone Pine is a wind-pollinated species.
Fruit DescriptionCones are terminal, erect-ovoid, and 5-7.6 cm long by 3.8-5.7 cm broad. Greenish violet at first, turning purplish brown when mature. Cones never open, but drop in the spring of the 3rd year, seeds are released by birds or decomposition.
Colour DescriptionStems are covered with a dense, yellow-brown to orange-coloured pubescence the 1st year, becoming greyish brown to brownish black the second year. Dark green needles, and greyish-brown bark in maturity.
Texture DescriptionFine to medium textured. Very thick, soft foliage that is retained all the way to the ground.

Photographs