Austrian pine (Not recommended) | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Pine
Family (botanic) Pinaceae
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 50-60 feet
Mature width 20-40 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Dry soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Pyramidal
Growth rate Moderate
Transplants well No
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Austrian pine is native to Europe.

Bark color and texture:

The tree has plate-like, furrowed bark that is dark brown to black in color.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The needles are 3 to 6 inches long and held in bundles of two. They have a stiff texture, toothed margins and a sharp, horny point.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

The tree is monoecious. The flower-like structures are not ornamentally important.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The woody cone is oval, stalkless and about 3 inches long.

Plant care:

Planting is not recommended due to the tree’s susceptibility to various disease and insect problems.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

The Austrian pine is susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including lophodermium needle cast, diplodia tip blight (sphaeropsis), and wood rots and decays. Insects such as the European pine sawfly, various weevils, and the Zimmerman pine moth can damage Austrian pine. The tree can also be damaged by the yellow-bellied sapsucker.