Balkan pine is not well known, but has potential to be an attractive landscape plant in residential yards. This tree may be difficult to find in local nurseries.
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All Common Names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Shade tree,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Large tree (more than 40 feet),
- Medium tree (25-40 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7
Soil Preference:
- Acid soil,
- Moist, well-drained soil
Acid Soils:
- Prefers
Alkaline Soils:
- Moderately Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Intolerant
Soil Salt:
- Moderately Tolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Tolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Moderately Tolerant
Planting Considerations:
- May be difficult to find in nurseries
Ornamental Interest:
- Edible fruit
Season of Interest:
- Early winter,
- Mid winter,
- Late winter,
- Early spring,
- Mid spring,
- Late spring,
- Early summer,
- Mid summer,
- Late summer,
- Early fall,
- Mid fall,
- Late fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Inconspicuous
Shape or Form:
- Narrow,
- Pyramidal
Growth Rate:
- Slow
Transplants Well:
- Yes
More Information:
Tree & Plant Care
Best in full sun, relatively tolerant of most soils as long as well-drained.
Somewhat tolerant of salt.
Slow growing.
Disease, pests, and problems
Susceptible to a number of diseases including Diplodia tip blight, needle casts, and pine wilt.
Susceptible to a number of pests including pine sawfly, pine needle scale and Zimmerman pine moth.
Native geographic location and habitat
Native to the Balkans.
Bark color and texture
Gray-brown, becoming scaly with age.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Evergreen needles in bundles of 5; 3 to 4 inches long
Flower arrangement, shape, and size
Monoecious, separate male and female flowers. Not ornamentally important.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
Woody cones, 3-6 inches long.
Cultivars and their differences
Pacific Blue Balkan pine (Pinus peuce 'Pacific Blue'): Blue needles and a more upright habit than the species.