Sign In 
Get Premium Arolla Pine
(Pinus cembra)
Arolla Pine (Pinus cembra)
/
/
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Nova | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Pinus_cembra_Sosna_limba_2013-08-11_03.jpg | Notes: User created page with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pinus cembra, commonly known as Arolla Pine or Swiss Stone Pine, is a slow-growing, evergreen tree native to the high elevation coniferous forests of the Alps and Carpathian Mountains in central Europe. It thrives at altitudes between 3,900 to 7,500 feet, where it endures cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls. Mature trees typically reach 82–115 feet in height and can live for 500 to 1,000 years, showcasing a dense, conical form that becomes more columnar with age. The Arolla Pine is notable for its long, slender needles that grow in bundles of five and its cylindrical cones that produce edible seeds known as pine nuts. The tree’s bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming flaky and scaly with age.
The Arolla Pine is valued for its ornamental beauty, particularly its symmetrical shape and attractive foliage, making it a popular choice for large gardens and parks in cold climates. It is also appreciated for its ecological role in mountainous regions, where it helps stabilize slopes and protect against avalanches and soil erosion. In cultivation, it requires well-drained, acidic soils and full sun to part shade conditions. While it is resistant to white pine blister rust, it can be susceptible to pine wilt disease and bark beetles. The seeds, or pine nuts, are harvested for culinary use, adding to the tree’s utility.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Arolla Pine is valued for its ornamental beauty, particularly its symmetrical shape and attractive foliage, making it a popular choice for large gardens and parks in cold climates. It is also appreciated for its ecological role in mountainous regions, where it helps stabilize slopes and protect against avalanches and soil erosion. In cultivation, it requires well-drained, acidic soils and full sun to part shade conditions. While it is resistant to white pine blister rust, it can be susceptible to pine wilt disease and bark beetles. The seeds, or pine nuts, are harvested for culinary use, adding to the tree’s utility.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 30-40 feet
- Width: 15-25 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate, Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
High elevation coniferous forests of the Alps and Carpathian Mountains
Other Names
Common Names: Swiss Stone Pine , Cembra Pine , Arve
Scientific Names: Pinus cembra , Apinus cembra , Apinus cembra , Cembra montana , Pinea cembra , Pinus cembra f. columnaris , Pinus cembra subsp. columnaris , Pinus cembra subsp. columnaris , Pinus cembra subsp. communis , Pinus cembra var. helvetica
GBIF Accepted Name: