A native of the mountains of Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece, this evergreen tree is popular in Scandinavia due to its cold tolerance and adaptability. It grows consistently and slowly, and maintains a dense, broadly pyramidal form. The dark blue-green needles are three to four inches long and held in bundles of five. The pendulous cones are three to six inches long, cylindrical, and produced singly or in clusters. Green at first, they become light brown with maturity. The bark is silver gray and darkens with age. Unlike American native white pines (Pinus strobus), Macedonian pine is resistant to white pine blister rust and may be useful for developing rust resistant varieties. It is a fine specimen trees for parks and large gardens.
Type: Evergreen tree
Outstanding Features: Cold hardiness; disease resistance
Form: Dense, broadly pyramidal
Growth Rate: Slow, consistent
Bloom: Not relevant
Size: 30-60’ H x 20-30’ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 4-7
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Heterobasidion root and but rot; resistant to pine beauty moth, red band blight, white pine blister rust , and other pests and diseases that are common to North American pines.
Propagation: Seed
Outstanding Selection: ‘Cesarini’ (very slow growing, upright, silver-gray needles).
