Pinus cembra
Arolla pine
P. cembra is a bushy tree to 20m tall, usually narrow in habit, with dark grey-green needles borne in fives, and ovoid cones 6cm long, blue-green when young, later pale brown, and contained large, edible seeds
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
more than 50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Blue Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Green | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green | Brown | ||
| Winter | Blue Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C & E Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun. May be short-lived in shallow, chalk soil. See Trees: buying and planting specimens
Propagation
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Semi-ripe cuttings from vigorous young growth in summer or early to mid autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Keep pruning to a minimum but if dual leaders form on young trees, remove one to produce a single-stemmed tree. Trees may be resinous, any pruning should be carried out from late summer to midwinter
Pests
May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases
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