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Pinus heldreichii

Pinus heldreichii

Bosnian pine, Heldreich’s pine

synonym Pinus leucodermis
Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis

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Description

Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian pine) is a lovely evergreen conifer scattered across the high mountains of the Balkans and Southern Italy, and grows chiefly on limestone. The Bosnian pine is mostly found at higher elevations where winters are severe and only low-growing shrubs grow. Here, they can develop into amazing, large specimens with a unique form. These pines even grow on the steep, unstable slopes of alluvial fans where the extreme conditions shape their characteristic growth habit. In favourable conditions, it can grow between 20-30 metres tall and form a dense, narrow conical crown approximately five to nine metres wide but on poorer sites it develops a rather shrubbier character that only gets half as tall.

In mature trees, the smooth light grey bark of Pinus heldreichii peels off in polygonal, light white-grey plates with deep grooves. They resemble the designs of harnesses used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The white-grey branches stand out very nicely against the dark green needles which curl towards the branch. The dark green needles of the Bosnian pine are arranged in pairs with a coarse texture. The entire canopy is resilient to heavy snowfall. The female cones are purple-blue when young and later turn dark brown. The scales have small pointed teeth that bend backwards.

Pinus heldreichii is an attractive tree of great value for a rapidly warming climate. It is robust in hot, dry conditions and completely hardy if planted on well-drained soil. It can make a wonderful tree for larger gardens and public parks. The Bosnian pine is not such a fast grower but can be very long-lived: some specimens are over 1,000 years old.

Types of planting

Tree types

feathered trees conifers solitary shrubs

Use

Location

park in containers roof garden large garden cemetery

Pavement

none none

Characteristics

Crown shape

pyramidal pyramidal

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

20 - 30 m

Width

5 - 9 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds owls small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Pinus heldreichii? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
feathered feathered
Pinus heldreichii feathered
flowers flowers
Pinus heldreichii flowers
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
leaves leaves
Pinus heldreichii leaves
fruits fruits
Pinus heldreichii fruits
fruits fruits
Pinus heldreichii fruits
fruits fruits
Pinus heldreichii fruits
fruits fruits
Pinus heldreichii fruits
fruits fruits
Pinus heldreichii fruits
bark bark
Pinus heldreichii bark
bark bark
Pinus heldreichii bark
twigs twigs
Pinus heldreichii twigs
twigs twigs
Pinus heldreichii twigs

Flowers

Flowers

raceme discrete scented

Flower colour

bright yellow

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

evergreen needles or scales long needles polished scented curly

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown blue-violet

Fruits

striking cones

Bark

Bark colour

pale brown pale grey

Bark

peeling deeply furrowed smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown pale grey

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

deep

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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