Description
Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine) Seeds
Zones: 4 to 8.
Native to Europe and Anatolia and naturalized in many parts of North America.
The Austrian pine is an adaptable tree that was widely planted in the American Great Plains states in the 1930’s during the Great Plains Shelterbelt to prevent erosion during the great drought of that period. It is widely planted as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks and can be long lived. When young it has a densely-branched conical form that becomes more broad and irregular with age. It features dark green needles grown in bundles of two, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long that persist for 4 to 8 years. Cones are oval, light brown and woody when mature, borne in clusters of 1 to 4. The bark is brown to grey with furrows. This large evergreen provides food and shelter and nesting sites for birds.
The Austrian pine prefers full sun and does well on a variety of soils, but prefers average to moist sandy loam and has some drought tolerance once established.
Size: Height 50 to 60 ft; Width 20 to 40 ft.
Germination Instructions
Stratification: Provide about 30 days cold, moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 30 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
