An adaptable tree that prefers cold mountain climates and high humidity, but it will perform sufficiently in different locations. It can be kept trimmed in a low shrub-like manner to be used for erosion control. It will perform best when located in an area with moist soil and good drainage. The soft, light durable wood is often used in construction and furniture building. This specimen is not commonly found in local nurseries. Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree is susceptible to wind damage. More information on Pinus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3 to 4 in. straight, stiff, dark green needles in bundles of 5. Dark green on top and grayish-green on the underside. The overall effect is blue-green
Flower color
Brown/Copper
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
3 to 6 in. cylindrical cones, single or cluster of 3 to 4, becomes light brown
Fruit value
Edible
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Young trees have smooth, silvery-gray bark. As the tree ages, the bark becomes darker and rough. Old trees have thick, brown square-fissured bark.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Balkan peninsula
Wildlife value
This plant supports Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.