World Plants Logo

search the world

Woody > Pinus > Pinus heldreichii > Pinus heldreichii

Pinus heldreichii


Bosnian Pine




Origin:  It comes from the mountains of southeastern Europe, in southwestern Bulgaria, Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, northern Greece, and is also located in southern Italy.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

This is an excellent narrow-leaf evergreen tree used in many situations. All season interest and low maintenance requirements are beneficial for use in suburban homes, parks or narrow spots. It is an ideal specimen due to its natural beauty alone.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Pinus
Species
heldreichii
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
Canadian Hardiness Zone
1a - 7a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H5 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-40 - (-9)
Temperature (°F)
-40 - 15
Height
20 - 25 m
Spread
5 - 8 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
About 6–9 cm long, thick and hairless needle-like leaves are in fascicles of two. It has the dark purple colour of the young cones and has year-round dark green foliage.
Landscape
An attractive and ornamental pine used as a specimen or a grouping. It is commonly used as screening or windbreak. Generally, it is more suitable for informal gardens.
Cultivation
It is easy to cultivate in moist loams and tolerates a variety of soils which can be sandy or clay. It requires well-drained soils and prefers the acidic soils in cool summer days. Bleeding can be diminished if you prune during the late summer and mid-winter.
Shape
When it is young it is conical, pyramidal and upright but loosening with age.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
The special bark appearance, which is like a snake skin, will occur on the old trees after the foliage falls. Buds are non-resinous with an oval or oblong shape.
Pests
It may be sensitive to tip blight, rusts, rots, sawflies, moths, beetles, bagworms borers and pine needle scale.
Habitat
This tree is native to the dry limestone soils in mountainous areas of the Balkans, Italy and Greece.
Bark/Stem Description
The bark of Bosnian pine is very thick and ash-grey or white colour appearing on the twigs. And the yellow patches will appear after exfoliation.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
The buds are non-resinous, oval or oblong shape in shape, around 15 mm in diameter, reddish-brown and silvery colour on the margins.
Leaf Description
Leaves are 6–9 cm long, stiff and needle-like in fascicles of 2; it is prickly, clustering at the end of the branches, the dark green coloured leaves are arranged orderly and neatly.
Flower Description
The flower is inconspicuous.
Fruit Description
The cone is about 2.5–7.5 cm long with a bluish-purple colour. When it matures in approximately 16–18 months, the cones are brown and will be quite outstanding. It might fall or stay on the tree for some years. Usually, the cones will be in a clusters of 2–3.
Colour Description
Because it is an evergreen tree, the foliage colour will be dark green all year. In autumn, fruit shows blue, and turns brown in winter. When the cone is still young, it is more likely a dark bluish purple with 2.5 – 7.5 cm. Bark is generally white, but it may have some yellow patches.
Texture Description
It has a medium texture.
Notable Specimens
National Arboretum, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America.
Propagation
It is propagated by seed sown in containers using a cold frame in the spring. When you propagate, choose a good quality seed from a cone and put in the well-drained pot soils. Meanwhile, the pots should be under sunny conditions and you should let water drain through. It takes months to germinate, but it usually happens in March or April. Finally, the seedling becomes a 15–30 cm tall plant at which time it can be transplanted; grafting may be needed in late winter.
goToTop
top