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Pinus cembra
L.
Swiss Stone Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus cembra is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains.
Description
Pinus cembra is a tree that grows up to 20 or 25 m with a trunk that can grow up to 1 or 1.5 m in diameter; at the timberline, however, it often becomes a dwarf form. The tree forms a conical crown when young that becomes cylindrical and opening up with age. Branches tend to go out horizontally and then bend upwards, with needles near the tips. Needles are stiff, straight, and loose, typically 5 to 8 cm long in bundles of 5. They are bright to dark green on the outer sides with pale bands (which are stomata) on the inner sides of the needles, and persist on the tree for 3 to 6 years. The sheaths are about 2 to 3 cm long and are not persistent. Buds are about 6 to 10 mm long and are resinous. The bark is gray and smooth when young, becoming grayish brown and scaly to flaky revealing reddish brown patches. Twigs are yellowish brown, aging to become dark brown with dense orange-brown hair. Male cones are small, red, and 1 to 2 cm long. Seed cones are 5 to 8 cm long, egg-shaped, wider when open, and hanging from a short stalk. They are violet, ripening to reddish brown and have about 50 scales that are fan-shaped, slightly fleshy, and with a non-prickly, triangular tip. These cones fall from the tree after releasing their seeds in the spring. Seeds are about 12 to 14 mm wide, wingless or with a very narrow, easily detached wing. Seeds are spread by a variety of small animals that cache the seeds (Eckenwalder 2009).
It is the most similar and closely related to Pinus sibirica, with which it can hybridize (Eckenwalder 2009).
It is the most similar and closely related to Pinus sibirica, with which it can hybridize (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Although it grows slowly, the timber of Pinus cembra has attractive qualities, being soft, light, and resinous. It is therefore locally used in paneling, carvings, and traditional furniture. Ecologically, it is important in the Alps because it stabilizes soil and prevents erosion and avalanches (Ulber et al. 2004).
Distribution
Pinus cembra is found in subalpine forests of the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, typically at an altitude of 1500 to 2400 m, but with individual trees at 1200 to 2850 m. Isolated populations in the Carpathian Mountains exist, in Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania. There, it is typically at an altitude of 1300 to 1700 m, but individual trees exist from 900 to 1985 m (Ulber et al. 2004).
Status
Pinus cembra is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern”. It is well-protected within the Alps, but it faces some threat from development for skiing-related tourism (Farjon 2017).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2017. Pinus cembra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T42349A95684563.en.
Ulber, M., Gugerli, F., and Božič, B. 2004. EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra). Rome: Bioversity International.
Farjon, A. 2017. Pinus cembra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T42349A95684563.en.
Ulber, M., Gugerli, F., and Božič, B. 2004. EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra). Rome: Bioversity International.
Description
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