Woody > Pinus > Pinus heldreichii > Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis
Pinus heldreichii
var. leucodermis
Bosnian Pine, Leucodermis Bosnian Pine, Heldreich Pine
Origin: Native to many of the Balkan countries such as Greece, Bosnia and Albania, as well as Italy.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A pine that is tolerant to salt and Diplodia tip blight, Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis makes a good replacement for Pinus nigra, or any other pine that is plagued with problems and diseases. Effective as a specimen with its attractive bark and whorls of dense, dark needles, this tree has many great qualities worthy of the landscape.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Pinus |
| Species |
| heldreichii |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Variety |
| leucodermis |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4a - 7a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H5 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -29 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -20 - 15 |
| Height |
| 9 - 16 m |
| Spread |
| 5 - 10 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An upright, densely branched, and slow growing variety. This specimen is quite appealing in the landscape, having attractive exfoliating bark and unique bluish-purple young cones. |
| Landscape |
| Widely considered a medium tree because of how slow growing it is, Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis is used as a specimen, and makes a sufficient screening. Having a resistance to salt and Diplodia tip blight, it is also a common replacement for other trees that do not share the same tolerance, such as Pinus nigra. |
| Cultivation |
| A tree that thrives in dry, full sun areas with well drained soil. It will tolerate a pH range of acidic to slightly alkaline, but seems to prefer soil that is limestone based. |
| Shape |
| Stands upright with dense branches that create a pyramidal or conical form. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| This tree is said to resemble Pinus nigra, having needles that grow to a similar length and share the dark green colour. Being native to areas of high elevation also sets this tree apart. |
| Pests |
| It can be susceptible to scale and pine weevil. |
| Habitat |
| Native to areas of high elevation, with dry, limestone soil, and exposure to full sun. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The young branches are smooth and whitish in colour that mature to grey. Minor exfoliation will also occur with age, breaking into small plates of a pattern similar to reptile skin. This effect can be quite visually appealing. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The buds are oblong or oval, and have a diameter of 15 mm. They are brown and usually become pale towards the tips. The buds are not resinous. |
| Leaf Description |
| The needles are 6–10 cm long, grow in fascicles of 2, and are arranged in whorls around the branch. The needles are very sharp and stiff, curve slightly inward, and can also be tufted towards the ends of the branches. They retain on the tree for 2–6 years. |
| Flower Description |
| The flowers are small and have little aesthetic value. |
| Fruit Description |
| The cones are ovoid, 5.5–8 cm long, and grow in clusters of 2–4. Young cones are a bluish purple colour and become brown in the first year. |
| Colour Description |
| The colour of the needles range from medium-green to a lustrous deep green. |
| Texture Description |
| Smooth or slightly exfoliated bark is contrasted by dense and very sharp needles. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Fanshawe College Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| This naturally occurring variation is grown from seed, and seems to have a flexible stratification period. |
References
Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Champagne, IL: Stipes Publishing L.L.C., 2009. Print.
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