An evergreen with a broad base and horizontal lower branches, which it often retains. This graceful specimen has an upright form with a loose and broadly pyramidal form when young. At the tree ages, it broadens and develops a rounded crown. The branches are wide-spreading and pendulous. Transplant when small for best results. Winter winds can cause discoloration. Its attractive foliage and large cones make this a popular ornamental tree. 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) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
5 to 8 in. soft, blue-green needles in bundles of 5; upper surface green, lower surface blue-white creating a silvery blue cast; young needles are erect; older needles droop; needles often bend near base creating a pendulous effect
Flower color
Brown/Copper
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
6 to 12 in. cylindrical cones; pendulous and turn brown with age.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Gray bark fissures and turns dark brown with age
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Himalayas
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.
Attracts
Moths
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Recreational Play Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Nighttime Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Specimen