Pin Cembro Pinus Cembra Swiss Stone Pine

The Swiss pine is a tree species of the Pinaceae family. It is a characteristic tree of high mountains as it grows between 1,700 and 2,400 meters in altitude, where winters are very long and temperatures are harsh.

Evergreen conifer with slow growth, with a narrowly pyramidal shape that becomes more irregular and rounded with age. It is a high-altitude pine valued for its longevity, fine texture, and elegant, compact form in mountainous environments.

The foliage consists of soft and flexible needles grouped in bundles. The needles are dark green with a slight bluish tint and are much softer than those of most pines, giving the tree a fine and almost feathery texture. This contributes to its dense and soothing appearance all year round.

Pinus cembra prefers full sun and well-drained soils, often poor, sandy, or rocky. It is perfectly adapted to alpine and subalpine environments and tolerates harsh climatic conditions. Once established, it shows excellent cold hardiness and good drought tolerance. It is ideal for rock gardens, alpine gardens, isolated plantings, and naturalistic mountain-style landscaping.

The seeds of the Swiss stone pine (or arolla pine), often called pine nuts, are edible and have a delicious nutty flavor.

Seed characteristics

• Taste and use: Swiss pine seeds can be eaten raw or roasted and resemble the flavor of walnuts. They are also used to make traditional liqueurs and digestifs.
• Cone peculiarity: Unlike other conifers, the cones of the Swiss pine never open spontaneously on the tree