Limber Pine

A coniferous species of the genus Pine of the family Pinaceae. Introduced into cultivation in 1881. It occupies vast areas in the high mountain regions of North America. The only tree that can survive in the harsh conditions of high altitudes. It can also grow in prairie areas. It received its name because of its short but flexible branches. Lives more than 500 years.

It is a tree 6-30 m in height. Growth rate moderate, up to 30 cm per year. Trunk thick, short. Crown in youth narrowly conical, becoming spreading at maturity. In sunny open sites it forms a regular broad-oval crown. Branches horizontal, slightly curved, spreading. Bark on young trees smooth, light gray, on mature trees – fissured, with longitudinal grooves, dark brown. Shoots yellow-green, bare or slightly pubescent. Buds broadly ovoid, somewhat pointed, 10 cm in length, not resinous.

Needles are in bundles of 5, slightly curved and pointed, grow at the ends of shoots, 5-8 cm long, stomatal bands on both sides, bluish-green in color, resilient, the needles lie closely together. They remain on the tree for 5-6 years.

Blooms in May-June. Cones are oblong-ovoid, terminal, 15-20 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, on short 1.5-2 cm stalks. At first the cones are erect, then pendulous; young cones are green, later brown, resinous. The cone scales are thickened, woody, with a blunt tip at the end of the scale and they open completely at maturity. Seeds 1 cm long and 0.8 cm wide, reddish-brown, externally similar to the seeds of Siberian cedar pine, edible; the wing is short, up to 1 cm, and separates well from the seed. Ripen from September to October.

Hardiness zone 6a.

Cultivars: firmament, vanderwolf`s pyramid, cesarini blue, glauca compacta, pendula.

Site: not demanding of soil, but requires moist, well-drained ground. Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging. Wind- and drought-resistant. Light-loving (prefers full sun).

Planting and pruning: planting and pruning are carried out as for Scots pine.

Propagation: propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Diseases and pests: affected by blister rust.

Uses: looks very impressive in solitary plantings. Also attractive in combination with coniferous and deciduous trees. Used for creating windbreak plantings. Seeds are used in cooking. Has valuable timber.