Pinus nigra subsp. nigra

RHS Plant Profile

Austrian pine

Synonyms

Pinus nigra var. austriaca
Pinus austriaca

Trees Conifers

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A large, fast-growing, evergreen conifer initially pyramidal in shape, with branches down to the ground, later developing a wide crown and bare trunk with deeply fissured, dark grey bark. Needles are dark green, pointed and fairly stiff, in pairs. Small, yellow flowers are followed by dark green, pointed cones, maturing to light brown

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Pinus can be shrubs or large, evergreen trees, some species with attractive bark, developing an irregular outline with age and bearing long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5; conspicuous cones may fall or remain on the tree for years
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: SE Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil, in full sun. Tolerates poor, dry soil and salt wind

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases