One of the most popular landscape pines in the Midwest and East because of its densely pyramidal habit, its attractive needles, and its adaptability. In old age the outline is umbelliform, and the bark becomes ridged and furrowed. The flat furrows are scaled in a mosaic of white, gray, and brown. The lustrous dark green, almost black-green needles, 3" to 5" (to 6") long, occur in bundles of two and are extremely stiff and sharp pointed.
Needles persist for four(occasionally up to eight) years, giving the branches a full mane of green. Pinus nigra is adaptable to high ph, heavy clay soils. It transplants readily and establishes quickly. Used extensively for grouping and screenings. In recent years, this species has been troubled by Diplodia, which causes shoot die back, and the pine nematode. Pine nematode, transmitted by a beetle, plugs the vascular system of the plant and can kill an entire tree, or portions of it, often in a single season. Assess the degree of disease and pine nematode in an area before planting.

Habit: Austrian pine is densely pyramidal tree when young, becoming a large, broad, flat-topped tree with a tough, short trunk and low, stout, spreading branches.

Growth Rate: Medium to fast 18" to 24" per year in average mid west landscape.

Mature Sizes: In an average mid west landscape after 20 years 30' to 35' and 15' to 18' wide.

Needle: Dark green, 3" to 6" long, a horny point on end, sharp to the touch, grouped in pairs, persisting about 4 years.

Texture: Medium-course.

Cones: 2" to 3" long, and 1" to 1 1/4" wide before opening, tawny-yellow, becoming brown.

Culture: A hardy tree that withstands city conditions better than other pine, will withstand some dryness and exposure; resistant to heat and drought; less demanding in its soil requirements than most evergreen trees. Will succeed in fairly heavy clay and alkaline soils, tolerates salt spray from road traffic.

Disease and Insects: In recent years this pine has exhibited severe dieback in midwestern states; some of the dieback has been attributed to Diplodia tip blight; however, whole trees have died in a single season so probably multiple factors are involved; pine nematode transmitted by a beetle and in soil; plug up the vascular system and an entire plant may die in a single season.

Cultivars and Varieties:none recommended

Zone:4 to 7.

Native Habitat: Europe, from Austria to Central Italy. Introduced 1759.