Common Name: Swiss Stone Pine

General Information

Pinus cembra is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall. The bole is often curved or contorted, though it can be quite straight when growing in more sheltered locations[].
The seed is a popular food and the plant is extensively harvested from the wild and isalso cultivated[].
Pinus cembra is widespread in the Alps and Carpathians, is well protected in many reserves, and in several regions in the Alps it is currently expanding its altitudinal extent. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Alps and Carpathian mountains from southern Germany and eastern France to Ukraine and Romania

Habitat

Coniferous forest and woodland, becoming co-dominant with Larix decidua at higher elevations; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,500 metres[],

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus cembra is a very hardy plant tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[]. Down to -40°c[]. It grows best in climates where there is a distinct transition from winter to spring. It is easily excited into growth as the season warms up and, in areas where periods of mild weather can be interspersed with a return to cold conditions, this new growth is very susceptible to damage by temperates near to or below freezing[].
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants tolerate drought[]. Succeeds in most situations, flourishing on N. facing slopes and in moist heavy clay soils[].
A slow-growing tree, it can live to great age with some specimens known to be more than 1,000 years old[].
Grows best in the cooler wetter areas of Britain[, ].
The edible seeds are collected in large numbers in Siberia and are often exported[].
This species does not appear to be long lived or to produce its cones freely in southern Britain[].
The plant does not produce cones until it is 30 years old[]. The cones take three years to ripen and then fall from the tree with the seeds still inside[]. The seed is often eaten by squirrels, birds etc before it can fall to the ground. The cones do not open, seed is extracted by breaking up the soft scales of the cone[].
This is one of several species of pine that depend upon a mutualistic relationship with a species of bird (in this case the Spotted Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes) to disperse its seed. The birds have powerfull beaks which enable them to extricate the seeds and crack the shells. They store many of the seeds at some distance from the parent plant - some of these seeds never get eaten and can germinate and grow into new trees[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Slow growing in cultivation[, ], plants usually make less than 30 cm increase in height per year even when young[].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby inhibiting the growth of other plants below the tree[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. Much valued as a food, the oil-rich seed has a delicious flavour but with a slight flavour of turpentine. A reasonable size, it is about 10mm x 8 mm[].

An edible drying oil is obtained from the seed[, , , ].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

Turpentine is obtained from the leaves[, ].
A volatile oil obtained from the leaves and twigs of the plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antimicrobial, masking agent and perfume[].
An extract of the wood is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction economically worthwhile[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].

The wood is soft, very durable, easily worked. It is used for the construction of traditional houses, furniture, panelling, cabinet making, tools, turnery etc[, , ].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].