Common Name: Austrian Pine

General Information

Pinus nigra is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall.
The tree is an important commercial timber crop and amenity tree; it is widely harvested from the wild and has also been extensively planted in Europe and to a lesser extent in the USA[].
Pinus nigra has a very wide distribution and is abundant, 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

Europe - Germany to Spain, east to Bulgaria, the northern Caucasus and Greece; W. Asia - Turkey; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Dense conifer forest, sometimes in pure stands, and also found in more open locations on heathlands, growing fom near the coast to mountainous areas, often on calcareous soils; at elevations from 100 - 2,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus nigra is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°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[, ]. This species succeeds on all soil types, including chalk[, , ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants tolerate drought[]. This species is more tolerant of industrial pollution than any other Pine species[].
The tree is extensively planted for timber and shelter[, ], tolerating maritime exposure - especially the subspecies laricio[, , ]
In the past there was a substantial industry based on resin tapping of this species, but this has almost disappeared[].
A fast growing species when young, the black pine (subspecies nigra) outgrows the Corsican pine (subspecies laricio) for the first 5 or 6 years but is then rapidly overtaken by that subspecies[].
The species is also tolerant to various forms of industrial pollution (especially subsp. nigra, Austrian Pine), and in the USA in particular it is therefore popular for plantings in urban and industrial settings. There are a number of cultivars named and in the horticultural trade[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow beneath the tree[].
Trees tend to be short-lived in cultivation[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

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 dark grey seeds are 5 - 6mm 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used along the North Sea coas to stabilize coastal dunes - the subspecies laricio (Corsican Pine) is used especially for this since it is the most salt wind tolerant form of the species[].
A very wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[]. Trees have proved to be very resistant to maritime exposure on our Cornwall trial grounds[].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[].

An extract of the buds and needles is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antimicrobial and antioxidant[].

Resin and turpentine are obtained from the wood[, , ]. 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 non durable. It is used for rough carpentry and furniture[].
In Austria and the Balkans, the wood is traditionally used to build houses; modern uses include interior flooring (the stage of the Viennese State Opera House is made of this wood!) and panelling, doors, staircases, furniture, etc[].
In the Mediterranean, it is the major pine for general construction, fuelwood, pulp for paper and to make crates and pallets[].

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[].