Austrian Pine
Pinus nigra
Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 25–35 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Columnar forms.
medium water25–35 ft tall and 8–12 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Marios Thoma, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker
- Photo 3: (c) Michel Langeveld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michel Langeveld
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 25–35 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~12 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Common problems on the Front Range
- Mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines
- Pine wilt nematode (esp. Scots and Austrian pine)
- Pine needle scale
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Austrian Pine good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Austrian Pine is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Austrian Pine get?
- It matures to about 25–35 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide.
- How much room does Austrian Pine need?
- Give Austrian Pine about 12 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Austrian Pine grow into?
- Austrian Pine typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Austrian Pine hardy on the Front Range?
- Austrian Pine is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Austrian Pine need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Austrian Pine grow?
- Austrian Pine is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Austrian Pine live?
- Austrian Pine is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Austrian Pine native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Austrian Pine deer-resistant?
- Austrian Pine is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Austrian Pine prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Austrian Pine can be affected by mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
