Common Name: Austrian pine
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Pinaceae
Native Range: Central and southern Europe
Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 40.00 to 60.00 feet
Spread: 20.00 to 40.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Leaf: Evergreen
Attracts: Birds
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Deer, Air Pollution
Culture
Grow in deep, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some drought once established. Also tolerates clay soils. Generally tolerant of urban conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pinus nigra, commonly called Austrian pine or European black pine, is a medium to large conifer that is native from central and southeastern Europe to western Asia. It grows 40-60’ tall over time (less frequently to 100’). Trees exhibit a dense pyramidal habit in youth. Crown rounds with age forming a spreading flat top or dome. From an ornamental standpoint, older trees can be quite attractive, featuring dense spreading branching, stiff dark green needles (3-6” long) in bundles of two and plate-like, furrowed, dark brown to black bark. Oval, stalkless cones (to 3” long) mature to brown.
Genus name comes from the Latin name for pines.
Specific epithet means black.
Problems
Notwithstanding the attributes of Austrian pine, its susceptibility to Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) tip blight, particularly in the Midwest, is of such significance that planting it in the St. Louis area is not now recommended. Also susceptible to Dothistroma needle blight. Pine moth and pine wilt nematode may appear.
Uses
Specimen, screen or windbreak. Susceptibility to diseases and insects limits use in some parts of the U.S. including the St. Louis area.