Austrian pine is a medium to large-sized, evergreen, needle-leaved conifer; young specimens have a conical or pyramidal shape, but mature trees develop majestic, rounded, flattened, spreading, or domed crowns.
Leaves are needles 3–6 inches long, stiff, dark green, paired in their papery fascicles, persisting for 4–5 years. These needles are typically dark bluish-green, slightly twisted, and prickly to the touch.
Bark is furrowed, platelike, dark brown to black. With age, the bark develops thick, irregular, silvery-gray to grayish-brown plates separated by deep, dark brown furrows. The specific epithet nigra refers to this dark, blackish bark.
Twigs are light brown, smooth but not waxy-coated, turning gray with age. The winter buds (candles) are a diagnostic feature, measuring ½ to 1 inch long; they are ovoid, silvery-white or light brown, and notably resinous with pointed tips.
Conifers do not technically flower, but they do shed pollen; this species sheds pollen in March–April.
Fruits are oval cones, not curving, to 3 inches long, stalkless, yellowish brown at maturity; the cone scales are somewhat shiny, with a tiny, usually curved spine at the tip. The cones typically point directly out and away from the stem and mature over a two-year period. Seeds are dark gray, ¼ to 5/16 inch long, attached to a yellow-buff wing measuring ¾ to 1 inch long.
Similar species:
- Missouri has only one native pine species, the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata).
- The other five pine species included in our flora are nonnatives (including Austrian pine) that are commonly planted in timber plantations, for wildlife habitat, for erosion control, or as ornamentals: jack pine (P. banksiana), eastern white pine (P. strobus), loblolly pine (P. taeda), and scrub pine (P. virginiana). These species frequently produce cones and reproduce themselves within their populations, thus they can become naturalized locally and are counted as part of our state's flora.
- Other pines are grown only as ornamentals or on Christmas tree farms and do not reproduce on their own, so they are not considered part of our flora; these include ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa), red pine (P. resinosa), and Scotch pine (P. sylvestris).
The bottom line is, unless you are at an old home site or at a place where the nonnative pines have been cultivated and might persist on a local scale, the only type of pine you will encounter in the wild in Missouri is almost always the shortleaf pine.
Height: 40–60 feet. While many Missouri specimens range between 40–60 feet, the species can reach 100 feet in optimal conditions. Spread: 20–40 feet.
Used in landscaping statewide, but trees in one small population in St. Louis County were found reproducing; hence their official inclusion in the flora of our state.
Habitat and Conservation
Austrian pine is a native of Eurasia but has been planted in North America (as an ornamental or as a windbreak) for years. You are most likely to encounter it in lawns and other planted landscapes, though you might also find Austrian pines persisting at old abandoned home sites. If you are planting one, put it in deep, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. It can tolerate clay soil, urban conditions, and (once established) some drought. It is notably tolerant of salt spray and air pollution, making it a frequent choice for highway and urban plantings.
This pine rarely spreads beyond its plantings and has been popular for landscaping for many years. However, a serious needle disease called Diplodia tip blight (caused by the fungus Sphaeropsis sapinea) has infected many specimens, causing dieback of branches and, at times, death of the trees. It is also highly susceptible to Dothistroma needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum), which causes reddish-brown bands on needles. Large infected trees are almost impossible to cure with fungicides. Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) is also susceptible to these diseases.
Status
Nonnative. Native to Eurasia. Considered part of Missouri's flora because sometimes it reproduces on its own in our state.
Human Connections
Pines, both native and introduced species, are significant nationwide for landscaping, timber, windbreaks, erosion control, and for Christmas trees. Only one species, the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) is native to our state, but it, too, makes a huge economic contribution.
In its native range in Europe and Turkey, the resin of Austrian pine has been historically used to produce tar and traditional remedies for skin ailments.
Ecosystem Connections
Pines of all types provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and a number of creatures, including squirrels and certain types of birds, eat the seeds. When ice storms come in winter, many birds can survive only by seeking shelter in the dense foliage of evergreen trees and bushes. The dense, coarse texture of Austrian pine makes it an exceptional winter thermal cover for small mammals and songbirds.
This species supports the larvae of the imperial moth (Eacles imperialis).
