Austrian Pine Data Sheet

• Common name: Austrian pine

• Latin name: Pinus nigra

• Genus: Pinus

• Height: 55 m (180 ft)

• Type: Evergreen

• Hardiness: Zone 4–7

• Conservation status: Least concern

Pinus nigra, commonly known as the Austrian pine, is a conifer native to south and south east Europe. Its range extends across Turkey, southern Italy, Sicily, Morocco and Algeria.

This tree is generally found in a wide range of altitudes, with a range from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Austrian pine is a large tree, 55 m (180 ft) tall, with a spread of 20 to 40 feet wide. The trunk diameter can exceed 2 m. The bark Is grey with some brown areas and becomes increasingly split and plated with age. The needles are around 10 cm long, very thin and light green in colour. The pine cones are scaled, 10 cm long and begin life as a dark green colour, changing to a yellowish brown colour at maturity. There are winged seeds between each cone scale which take 18 months to mature from pollination.

It can live up to, and beyond 300 years and has a moderate growth rate (up to 70 cm per year)

The Austrian Pine is closely related to the Turkish black pine and Italian black pine, which all share many of its characteristics.

The timber from this tree is used in construction, making paper and as a fuel source.

The tree is used in ornamental gardens and parkland. This species is often used for street plantations as it is salt tolerant and more resistant to the sodium run off from gritting lorries.

Pre Germination

These seeds need no pretreatment or stratification before sowing. Fill trays or pots with quality compost and firm down gently. Spread seeds across the surface; around 15 in a 10 cm pot is ideal. Cover with 3 mm of compost and gently firm down.

Compost should always be damp, not soaking wet or dried out. Place pots or trays on a warm windowsill or in a warm conservatory. Germination should occur at 1–3 weeks.

Post Germination

Keep seedlings in a bright, well-ventilated area to reduce the risk of damping off disease; a windowsill is ideal. Ensure seedlings never dry out or become waterlogged. These seedlings are large and sturdy and will give you little hassle. They can be separated into 4" pots at 15–20 weeks; by this stage they are frost hardy and can stay outside all year. Fertilization is not required up to this point. During spring and summer we advise using an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer every 4 weeks.

CAUTION: Slugs and snails love juicy young pines and spruces. Mice and blackbirds will destroy seeds and seedlings.

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