Common Name: Dwarf Mountain Pine

General Information

Pinus mugo is an evergreen shrub or a tree that can grow up to 4.50 metres tall. The species has two principal growth forms, which are often viewed as distinct species. Subspecies mugo is a shrub-like form with long, horizontal branches growing up to 10 metres from the trunk with erect major branch ends; it usually grows 1 - 3 metres tall, occasionally to 5 metres, often forming a dense, mat-like thicket. Subspecies rotunda is an upright shrub or erect tree[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a tea, medicine and source of materials. It is grwn to provide shelter and stabilize the soil, and is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover.
Pinus mugo is widespread, with a wide range, a large population and has few significant declines. In most cases it occurs in areas where it is not threatened by human activities. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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Range

Central and southern Europe - Germany, France and Spain, eastwards to Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria

Habitat

Mountainous regions, an erect tree at lower elevations, growing mainly on nutrient poor slopes, becoming shrub-like on exposed mountain slopes and ridges at higher elevations to the subalpine level; at elevations from 600 - 2,700 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus mugo is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -35°c when fully dormant[].
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[]. Thrives in the poorest of soils[, ]. Tolerates strong winds[], including maritime exposure[].
A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[].
Unlike most species of pine. this tree transplants well[].
Female cones purple ripening matte dark brown in late September to October 15-17 months later and opening then, or (if covered by winter snow first) the following spring; sessile or nearly so, symmetrical, 18-55 mm long, 14-28 mm wide (closed), opening to 25-45 mm, angle of inclination to stem 90°-130°; apophysis thin, flat, flexible, 6-10 mm wide and 1-2 mm thick, rhomboidal with a sharp transverse keel, rarely moderately thickened to pyramidal; umbo central, 3-4 mm wide. Seed black, 3-4 mm with a 7-12 mm wing buff with darker streaks; cotyledons (3-)5-7(-8). Cones shed soon after seed release or up to a year or two later[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Needles are used to make a (delicious!) herbal tea in Bulgaria[].

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

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The black seeds are 3 - 4mm long[].

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[].

The apical branches are antiasthmatic, balsamic, cardiotonic and expectorant[, ]. When distilled, the leaves and branches yield an essential oil that is commonly used in pharmaceutical balsamic preparations because of its antiseptic and expectorant qualities[]. It is used internally and externally in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, chronic bronchitis, catarrh and asthma[]. It is used externally to treat rheumatism and muscular stiffness[].

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[].
Trees are sometimes planted as a shelterbelt at high elevations[].
Trees are planted for sand binding and shelter in N. Europe[].
There are a number of dwarf forms that are very useful for covering dry slopes and mounds[].

Other Uses

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

An essential oil obtained from the young twigs is used medicinally and also in woody perfumeries[, , ].
An essential oil obtained from the needles is used in commercial cosmetic preparations as a masking agent and perfume[].

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[].

Wood - used to make shoes 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[].