Austrian Black Pines: Growing Tall In Central Kansas?

Austrian pine trees, also known as European black pines, are a species of pine native to central and southern Europe. They were introduced to the United States in 1759 and have since become one of the most common ornamental trees in the country. In this article, we will explore the growth characteristics of Austrian pines in Central Kansas and discuss their suitability for the region.

Austrian pines can grow to be over 100 feet tall

Austrian pines, also known as European black pines, can grow to be over 100 feet tall. In fact, in rare cases, they can reach heights of up to 165 feet. Native to central and southern Europe, these pines were introduced to the United States in 1759 and have since become one of the most common ornamental trees in the country.

Austrian pines are well-suited to a variety of soil types, from clay to sand, but they thrive in deep, moist, well-drained soil. They are also remarkably hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -30°C and performing best in cool to cold temperate climates. In terms of sunlight, they require full sun, especially when grown outside their native zone.

The Austrian pine is easily identified by its pyramidal or oval shape when young, maturing into a rounded crown with a flat or dome-shaped top. The needles, which grow in pairs of two, are dark green and between 2 to 6 inches long, giving the tree a dense and bold-tipped appearance. The bark has a distinctive checkered or mosaic pattern, with multiple layers of smooth texture.

Due to their resilience and adaptability, Austrian pines are popular as specimen trees, windbreaks, and for restoring strip mines and stabilizing soil. However, they are susceptible to various pests and diseases, including the tip blight fungus Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) and the European pine sawfly. Despite this, with proper care, Austrian pines can live for up to 200 years.

They are highly susceptible to the Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) tip blight fungus

Austrian pines are highly susceptible to the Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) tip blight fungus. This is a common fungal disease that affects pines with needles in bunches of 2s and 3s. The disease is characterised by the blight or dieback of the tips of branches, which can easily be seen from a distance. Repeated infections can cause entire branches to die, disfiguring the tree. The disease can also spread to older tissues through wounds caused by insect activity or hail.

The Diplodia fungus infects the growing buds and shoots, causing the newest needles of a tree to be stunted and brown. Small black reproductive structures of the fungus can be seen at the base of these stunted needles. The fungus also produces spores in fruiting structures that develop on the second-year female cones. These spores are then carried by the wind and rain throughout the tree.

The disease is more common in trees older than 15 years of age and is most severe in trees older than 30 years. It is seldom seen in forests but is common in landscape trees that are stressed by poor sites, drought, hail or snow damage, over-shading, compacted soils, root restrictions, insect activity, or other mechanical wounding.

To prevent infection, it is important to maintain tree health as the disease is more severe in trees that are under stress. This includes keeping the tree watered during dry periods and maintaining a layer of mulch under the tree to conserve moisture. Avoid pruning trees from late spring to early summer when they are most susceptible. Infected cones and dead or dying branches should be removed and destroyed during dry weather. Pruning tools should be disinfected between cuts.

Fungicides are also available to treat Diplodia tip blight. The first treatment should be done at bud break, with additional treatments applied according to label directions.

They are native to Austria, northern Italy and (formerly known) Yugoslavia

Austrian black pines (Pinus nigra) are native to Europe, and their range extends from longitude 5° W in Spain and Morocco to about 40° E in eastern Turkey, and from latitude 35° N in Morocco and Cyprus to 48° N in northeastern Austria and 45° N in the Crimea. They are distributed widely through the mountains of southern Europe and Asia Minor. In central Europe, Austrian black pines are found in Austria, northern Italy, and the Balkan Peninsula (formerly known as Yugoslavia).

Austrian black pines have been introduced to the United States, where they are commonly found in the Northeast and the North Central region of the country. They are well-suited to climatic zone IV, which includes parts of Canada and the US, such as southern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, southern Ontario, Michigan, northern Indiana, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, northern Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, southwestern Alberta, and central British Columbia.

Austrian black pines are adaptable to various soil types and topographic habitats. They are deep-rooted trees that perform best in deep, moist, and well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. They can tolerate alkaline soils better than most pine species. In their native range, Austrian black pines are commonly separated into three geographic groupings: western, central, and eastern. The central group, which includes sources from Italy, grows poorly on limestone soils.

Austrian black pines are fast-growing trees that can reach heights of up to 131 feet (40 meters) in their native range. They have a pyramidal or oval shape when young, and with age, the crown becomes rounded, forming a flat or dome-shaped top. They are long-lived trees, with a lifespan of up to 200 years if they are fortunate enough to avoid fatal pest and disease problems.

They are well-suited to USDA zones 4 to 7

Austrian pines are well-suited to USDA zones 4 to 7, which include southern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, southern Ontario, Michigan, northern Indiana, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, northern Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, southwestern Alberta, and central British Columbia. They are hardy down to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer cool to cold temperate climates. In warmer, more humid climates, they become more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Austrian pines can withstand challenging environmental conditions, such as pollution and salt sprays in the air, making them suitable for urban landscapes. They are also adaptable to a variety of soil types, including acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, clay, and well-drained soils. However, they require deep soil and full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day) to thrive.

In terms of size, Austrian pines typically grow to 40 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide, with a moderate growth rate of 12 to 18 inches per year. They form a pyramidal or oval shape when young, and with age, the crown becomes rounded, sometimes with a flat or dome-shaped top. The needles are thick and come in bundles of two, with each needle being 2 to 6 inches long. The cones are brown and egg-shaped, measuring 2 to 3 inches long.

While Austrian pines are resilient, they are susceptible to certain pests and diseases. One of their main drawbacks is their extreme susceptibility to the tip blight fungus Sphaeropsis (Diplodia). They are also prone to other fungal diseases, such as lophodermium needle cast and various wood rots. Insect pests that affect Austrian pines include the European pine sawfly, weevils, and the Zimmerman pine moth. Additionally, the trees are frequently damaged by yellow-bellied sapsuckers, which feed on the insects infesting the pines.

They are monoecious, with staminate and ovulate structures on the same tree

Austrian pines, or Austrian black pines, are monoecious, meaning they have both male and female reproductive structures. These structures, called staminate and ovulate strobili, are found on the same tree but are borne separately. The staminate strobili are found at the base of new shoots, usually on older lateral branches in the lower crown of the tree. They are cylindrical, short-stalked, bright yellow, and about 2 cm long, with numerous scales. The ovulate strobili, on the other hand, emerge near the end of new growth on terminal and lateral branches. They are cylindrical, small, bright red, and either short-stalked or sessile.

The reproductive process of Austrian pines begins with pollen dispersal and conelet receptivity, which typically occurs from May to June. However, it is important to note that individual ovulate strobili are only receptive to pollen for about 3 days. After pollen dispersal, the staminate strobili dry out and fall off the tree within a few weeks. Following pollination, the ovulate strobili scales close within a few days, and the fertilisation process begins.

Fertilisation in Austrian pines usually takes place in the spring or early summer of the second growing season, about 13 months after pollination. The cones, which were initially reddish-brown, turn green during this time and begin to grow rapidly until they mature in the fall. The mature cones are yellow-green, coarse, and woody, eventually turning shiny yellow-brown to light brown. These cones are about 5 to 8 cm long and have scales that end in short spines on the dorsal umbo.

The minimum seed-bearing age for Austrian pines varies from 15 to 40 years, and the interval between large cone crops is typically 2 to 5 years. The seeds produced by Austrian pines are reddish-brown and mottled, with a length of about 6.4 mm. On average, each cone contains 30 to 40 seeds, of which 15 to 20 are viable.

Frequently asked questions