Pinus cembra
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2013) |
Pinus cembra | |
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Swiss pine growing on the Dachstein, Austria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Gymnospermae |
Division: | Pinophyta |
Class: | Pinopsida |
Order: | Pinales |
Family: | Pinaceae |
Genus: | Pinus |
Subgenus: | P. subg. Strobus
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Section: | P. sect. Quinquefoliae
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Subsection: | P. subsect. Strobus
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Species: | P. cembra
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Binomial name | |
Pinus cembra | |
Distribution |
Pinus cembra, also known as Swiss pine, Swiss stone pine, Arolla pine, Austrian stone pine, or just stone pine, is a species of pine tree in the subgenus Strobus.
Description
The Swiss pine is a member of the
In its natural environment, this tree usually reaches
The very similar
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Cones of Pinus cembra
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Close-up of an immature cone from a cultivated Pinus cembra
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Close-up of a mature cone from a cultivated Pinus cembra
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Bark of a young Pinus cembra, National Botanic Garden of Latvia
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Cross-section of Pinus cembra - 181 years -MHNT
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Pinus cembra 'Columnaris' (cultivar) one year-old cone and foliage
Distribution and habitat
The Swiss pine grows in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains of central Europe, in Poland (Tatra Mountains), Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia (Tatra Mountains), Ukraine and Romania. It typically grows at 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) to 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) altitude. It often reaches the alpine tree line in this area.
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Pinus cembra with Rhododendron ferrugineum on the trail to the Furcela Piza with the Odles Group and the Mastlé Mountain, Puez-Geisler Nature Park, Dolomites
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Autumnal Larix decidua (yellow), Pinus cembra (dark green, wide), and Picea abies (dark green, slender) landscape. Carinthia, Austria
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In Tamangur forest. Scuol, Switzerland
Ecology
Swiss pine associates with numerous species of mycorrhizal fungi from a young age, usually from the genus Suillus.[3] This symbiosis improves the tree's growth and survival rate.
Uses
Swiss pine is a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, giving steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites where the climate is cold. It is very tolerant of severe winter cold, hardy down to at least −50 °C (−58 °F), and also of wind exposure. The seeds are also harvested and sold as pine nuts. When cultivated, it will likely start producing cones after the age of 12 years, much faster than in the wild. This depends on the climate, soil type, mycorrhizal fungi etc. To make the tree bear cones faster, the tree can be inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi, such as Suillus luteus, Suillus americanus, Suillus placidus etc. These are the most effective.
Pine cones cut into slices are used to flavor schnapps, which is then sold as "Zirbenschnaps" or "Zirbeler" schnapps.
The wood is the most used for carvings in Val Gardena since the 17th century.
The cone of the Swiss pine was the
It is also a species that is often used in bonsai.
Pinus cembra can be found in the uppermost forest belt where it helps to minimize the risk of avalanches and soil erosion. Due to this ability, the tree is valued as a stabilizing factor for afforestation projects at high elevations.[2]
Like other European and
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Ulber, M.; Gurgerli, F. & Bozic, G. (2004), Swiss stone pine - Pinus cembra: Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use, European Forest Genetic Resources Programme, p. 6
- PMID 29376899.
External links
- Swiss Stone Pine – Portrait of a Mountain Forest Tree in waldwissen.net
- Pinus cembra cone pic (scroll to bottom of page)
- Photos of Pinus cembra in Switzerland
- Link to Joanneum Research Study
- Folder Joanneum Research: Stone Pine - Positive health effects of Stone Pine furniture
- Pinus cembra - distribution map, genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)