Austrian pine is medium to fast-growing, reaching 40 to 60 feet in the landscape, taller on very old specimens. Combined with the dark green needles, the dense habit makes for an outstanding specimen tree. The pyramidal crown which becomes flat topped and somewhat irregular on older specimens is comprised of thick horizontal branches sweeping horizontally and up as they spread from the trunk. Lower branches are held on the trunk making this a nice, short-trunked specimen or screen plant. Plant it so the lower branches can be left on the trunk to show the true beauty of this pine. Dark furrowed bark is very attractive, particularly on older trees.
It will stand dryness and exposure, is well adapted to urban conditions including alkaline and clay soil and tolerates road and seaside salt well. Some members of the population may not be adapted to alkaline soil. Unfortunately, Austrian pine is very susceptible to tip blight in the east and for this reason should be used sparingly. There are also some recent reports of pine wilt nematode infesting trees and killing them in one season. But it is one of the best pines for Texas and is highly recommended there. Austrian pine is difficult to transplant so should be planted from containers or moved balled and burlapped after being root pruned.
Some adelgids will appear as white cottony growths on the bark. All types produce honeydew which may support sooty mold. European pine shoot moth causes young shoots to fall over. Infested shoots may exude resin. The insects can be found in the shoots during May. Pesticides are only effective when caterpillars are moving from overwintering sites to new shoots. This occurs in mid to late April or when needle growth is about half developed.
Bark beetles bore into trunks making small holes scattered up and down the trunk. Stressed trees are more susceptible to attack. The holes look like shotholes. Keep trees healthy.
Sawfly larvae caterpillars are variously colored but generally feed in groups on the needles. Some sawfly larvae will flex or rear back in unison when disturbed. Sawflies can cause rapid defoliation of branches if left unchecked.
Pine needle scale is a white, elongated scale found on the needles. Pine tortoise scale is brown and found on twigs. Depending on the scale, horticultural oil may control overwintering stages.
Spruce mites cause damage to older needles, and are usually active in the spring and fall. Mites cause older needles to become yellowed or stippled.
Zimmerman pine moth larvae bore into the trunk. The only outward symptoms may be death of parts of the tree or masses of hardened pitch on the branches.
The larvae of pine weevils feed on the sapwood of the leaders. The leader is killed and the shoots replacing it are distorted. First symptoms are pearl white drops of resin on the leaders. The leaders die when the shoot is girdled as adults emerge in August. Prune out and burn infested terminals before July 15.
Pine wilt nematode can be a serious problem. Infested trees can die in one growing season. There is no control at this time.
Diplodia tip blight is common on Austrian pine and disfigures trees as they reach 25 to 30 years of age. The new growth turns brown and the branch is stunted. Black fruiting bodies may be found on needle bases within the sheath. Fungicides are sometimes suggested to control the disease but as yet no satisfactory control measures have been developed.
Needle blight infects Austrian pine. Dark, slightly swollen bands form on one year old needles in late summer. The part of the needles beyond the band dies. Severely infected trees look thin.
Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is a popular evergreen conifer known for its versatility and hardiness. This tree comes in several different cultivars that make great additions to landscapes across various climates. In this article, we’ll explore the most common types of Austrian pine trees and what makes each one unique.
An Overview of Austrian Pine Trees
Native to Central and Southern Europe, Austrian pine trees typically grow 40-60 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide These hardy evergreens thrive in zones 4-7 and are relatively low maintenance They flourish in full sun exposure and moist, well-draining acidic soil.
Austrian pines are valued for their pyramidal to oval shape when young, transitioning to a rounded, flat-topped crown as they mature. Their furrowed dark brown bark and bundles of two slender dark green needles make them highly attractive landscape specimens.
While susceptible to some fungal diseases and pests, Austrian pines are tolerant of pollution, salt spray, high winds, and drought when healthy. Proper site selection and care help prevent problems.
Popular Austrian Pine Tree Varieties
Many cultivars of Austrian pine exist to fit any landscape need Here are some of the most popular types and their distinguishing features
1. Nigra Austriaca
The Nigra Austriaca Austrian pine is the most common variety. It grows in a dense pyramid shape up to 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide. This variety is prized for its classic form, rapid growth, and deep green color that pops against winter backdrops. It’s a classic choice for providing shelter and ornamental value.
2. Pyramidalis
True to its name the Pyramidalis Austrian pine boasts a narrowly tapered columnar form. It typically reaches 20-30 feet tall at maturity with dense, dark green foliage. The compact Pyramidalis is ideal for small yard accent trees or lined up for screens or windbreaks.
3. Arnold Sentinel
Valued for its narrow upright growth habit, Arnold Sentinel Austrian pine is columnar in shape. It has shorter needles and reaches just 15-20 feet tall when mature, making it perfect for tight spaces. Use it singly or in rows for screens and vertical interest.
4. Oregon Green
Oregon Green Austrian pine is beloved for its bright green needles that hold their verdant color year-round. Unlike most other varieties, its branches extend horizontally instead of upright. Oregon Green hits 30-40 feet tall and 20-25 feet wide at maturity, suiting medium to large landscapes.
5. Hornibrookiana
The dwarf Hornibrookiana Austrian pine boasts an irregular, mounding shape with twisted branches for unique character. It reaches just 1-2 feet tall and spreads as wide, making a top notch rock garden or container specimen.
6. Globosa
Another dwarf variety, Globosa Austrian pine forms a perfect globe shape growing less than 1 foot annually. It matures at 1-5 feet tall and wide in 10 years. Globosa works nicely in rock gardens, containers, and Asian-inspired gardens.
Growing Austrian Pine Trees
When siting Austrian pine trees, choose a location with full sun and well-draining moist soil. Amend clay or sandy soils with compost to improve drainage and nutrient retention.
In zones 4-7, Austrian pines thrive with little care once established. Water new trees regularly the first few years and mulch the root zone to conserve moisture. Avoid heavy winter pruning that can invite pests and disease.
While Austrian pines grow well from seed, named cultivars must be propagated from cuttings. Purchase young container-grown or balled-and-burlapped specimens for planting in your landscape. Give them plenty of room to reach maturity.
Problems to Watch For
Austrian pine trees are susceptible to a few problematic pests and diseases, especially in warm climates:
-
Sphaeropsis tip blight: This fungal disease causes shoot dieback and canopy thinning. Prune out affected branches.
-
Needle casts: Fungal diseases that cause needle loss. Improve air circulation and rake up fallen needles to prevent spread.
-
Pine sawfly: Larvae feed on needles causing browning damage. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays to control.
-
Pine bark beetles: These pests tunnel into the bark and can kill trees under stress. Keep trees healthy to prevent attack.
An Ornamental Specimen Pine
With its stately pyramidal form, Austrian pine makes a wonderful focal point or windbreak tree. The different cultivars offer varied shapes, sizes, and colors to fit any garden. Select pest-resistant varieties suitable for your climate and care for them properly for years of trouble-free beauty.
What’s your favorite type of Austrian pine? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequency of Entities:
Austrian pine: 27
pine: 15
tree: 14
variety: 7
cultivar: 5
needle: 4
grow: 4
landscape: 3
shape: 3
fungal: 3
disease: 3
mature: 3
green: 3
canopy: 2
columnar: 2
specimen: 2
narrow: 2
twist: 1
mound: 1
globe: 1
rock garden: 1
shelter: 1
ornamental: 1
focal point: 1
windbreak: 1
propagation: 1
cutting: 1
container: 1
balled and burlapped: 1
amend: 1
clay: 1
sandy: 1
soil: 1
compost: 1
zone: 1
establish: 1
water: 1
new: 1
mulch: 1
heavy: 1
winter: 1
pruning: 1
warm: 1
climate: 1
shoot: 1
dieback: 1
thinning: 1
prune: 1
circumvent: 1
improve: 1
air circulation: 1
rake: 1
fallen: 1
prevent: 1
spread: 1
insecticidal: 1
soap: 1
spray: 1
tunnel: 1
bark: 1
beetle: 1
kill: 1
stress: 1
stately: 1
focal: 1
windbreak: 1
trouble-free: 1
beauty: 1
k
Austrian Pine
FAQ
How do I identify an Austrian pine?
What is another name for the Austrian pine?
What is the lifespan of an Austrian pine tree?
What is the difference between Bosnian pine and Austrian pine?