Description
Pinus cembra – Swiss Stone Pine / Arolla Pine
Quality: 3/3 P
Brief Description: The Swiss Stone Pine is the soul of the Alpine region – a slow-growing, long-lived tree with soft needles in bundles of five and a dense, picturesque crown. Its seeds (pine nuts) are an important food source for the Spotted Nutcracker, which spreads the pine by burying the seeds. In the garden, it is an unparalleled solitary plant with Alpine character – easy to care for, robust, and exceptionally long-lived.
Climatic Properties & Site Conditions: The Swiss Stone Pine is specialized for the cool, snowy high altitudes of the Alps, making it one of the most winter-hardy tree species (down to –40 °C). It is excellently suited for the pre-Alpine region, Allgäu, and the high altitudes of the Black Forest above 600–800 m. While it does grow in the warmer lowlands of Southern Germany, it suffers from heat and drought and develops significantly less well. It is the perfect choice for Alpine gardens and high-altitude locations.
Advantages: Extremely winter-hardy, native to the Alpine region, ecologically valuable (Spotted Nutcracker), very long-lived, easy to care for, unique Alpine character, fragrant pine nuts.
Disadvantages: Very slow growth, less suitable for warmer lowlands of Southern Germany below 400 m altitude, sensitive to summer heat and drought in the lowlands, more expensive to purchase, no quick effect in the garden.
