Pinus nigra Austriaca Bush
Origin: south-east and central Europe. Conifer typical to the Alps with regular, pyramidal habit, dense and remaining branched from the ground for many years. Only in extremely old trees does the crown spread out and become dome-shaped. Characteristic greyish-brown bark, rough and split; as the plant grows old the bark is covered in pale patches. Rigid needles, 8-12cm long, dark green. Female flowers are red, in pairs at the tips of the new growth. Male flowers are yellow, grouped at the base of the new growth. Young cones are green and long; when mature they become large, brown and round. Mountain species which prefers snowy winters and not too humid summers. Grows well in all types of soil, even clay, and tolerates calcareous. Does not need to be pruned but as it withstands pruning it can be made into a tree with a clear stem and wide, thick, shade-giving pyramidal crown which the sun’s rays cannot penetrate.
