Balkan pine, Macedonian pine or Rumelian pine

A species of the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae. In nature it occurs in the southern and southeastern parts of Europe: Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Yugoslavia at altitudes of 600-2200 m above sea level. The species was first described in 1839 by the German botanist August Grisebach.

This is a narrowly pyramidal tree of medium height, externally similar to the white pine (in cultivation up to 20 m in height and 1 m trunk diameter, in the wild up to 40 m in height). Annual increment 25-30 cm in height and 15 cm in width. Grows quickly when young. Crown dense, low-reaching to the ground, keg-shaped. Bark of young trees smooth, gray-brown, in more mature trees – plated, brown or brown-reddish. Shoots greenish, thick, without pubescence, young branches brown-gray. Buds 9-10 mm long and 3 mm thick, loose, ovoid with a short, slightly pointed apex, slightly narrowed, from reddish-yellow to brown, resinous. The rootstock is well developed, penetrating deeply into rock fissures or soil.

Foliage triangular in cross-section, straight, 5-12 cm long, 0.75-3 mm wide, bright green, stiff, dense, pointed at the ends, finely and sparsely serrated at the edge (10-11 teeth per 1 cm), stomatal bands light, located on both sides. Needles are in bundles of 5. Retained on branches for 3 years.

The plant is monoecious. Flowers in May. Fruits abundantly, every 2-3 years. Fruiting in plantations begins at the age of 10-12 years. Cones are solitary or in pairs on short stalks, cylindrical, 8-10 cm long and 4 cm thick, slightly curved, light brown. Cone scales are stiff, thin, 3-3.5 cm long and up to 23 mm wide. Umbonal shields range from yellow to yellow-brown, sometimes greenish, sharply contrasting with the brownish or dark brown lower part of the scale. Seeds small, ovoid, 5-7 mm long, ripen in the third year and are dispersed immediately. Wing length up to 15 mm. Seeds are collected in late August – early September. Germination of seeds 60-90%.

Hardiness zone 5a.

Location: requires fully open sunny sites, grows well on fresh, not dry fertile soil, acidic or slightly alkaline, well-drained. Can grow on rocky soils. Tolerates urban conditions well.

Planting: Planting is recommended from November to February. Planting hole depth – 0.8-1 m. Distance between plants at least 4 m. On heavy soils with excess moisture it is recommended to make a drainage layer 20 cm thick. Soil mix: sand, peat and topsoil in a ratio of 2:1:1 – for planting in neutral reaction soil. For acidic soils add 200-300 g of lime per hole. Add superphosphate 150 g/hole to the planting mix; in autumn apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Care: In the second year after planting a balanced fertilizer should be applied, and in the second half of summer – phosphorus-potassium fertilizers 40-50 g per 10 l of water.

Pruning: sanitary pruning. For formative pruning it is recommended to remove no more than 1/3 of the green mass. To increase crown density remove one third of the current year's growth while maintaining crown shape. Do not leave bare branches without needles. Formative pruning should not be carried out earlier than one year after planting. Pruning is recommended from early spring to late autumn.

Diseases and pests: immune to blister rust, practically not affected by diseases and pests. More resistant to scleroderris canker than Pinus strobus, resistant to mealybugs.

Propagation: propagated by seed, which are sown into the soil in early spring, but can also be sown in autumn. Seeds should be pre-stratified for one month. Seedlings are grown on sandy loam and light clay soils. Rarely on sandy soils.

Uses: Used in shelterbelts, parks and gardens. Presents effectively with ornamental flowering or brightly fruiting shrubs: barberry, cotoneaster, mock orange (Philadelphus), spirea, broom, as well as with deciduous trees.