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Pinus / Pine

Pinus / Pine

Pine are perhaps one of the most known evergreen plants.  Nearly everybody can look at them and know that they're a "pine".  But the subtle differences between the different varieties get much more complicated.  Pine are a wonderful addition to the Northern landscape, whether it be as a tree for wind protection and shelter, such as the Austrian or Ponderosa.  Or as a smaller ornamental evergreen shrub that will add interest to the winter landscape these plants have many uses.  Pine are great choices for our climate as they are exceptionally cold hardy and once established handle drought better than most plants.  See our selection of Pine choices below.


pine shrub varieties

mugo pine

This plant can be seen growing near the book drop at the public library here in Williston.

Height:  5 - 15 ft
Spread:  5 - 10 ft
Foliage:  Bright Green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  2 - 7

 

Pinus mugo mughus

A two-needled pine with a compact, mushroom-like shape. Bright green needles all year round.  This common mugo pine is a great larger shrub.  It responds well to pruning at a young age and can be shaped in many ways.  This specimen is great for filling larger landscape areas.


Uses:

Evergreen Border/Hedge, Accent Plant, Focal Point.


Mugo Pine (Dwarf)

Pinus mugo pumilio

This miniature form of the common Mugo Pine is a dwarf.  Like the common it has bright green color in all seasons. Attractive mounded shape that can be maintained by pruning. Especially nice in early summer when new candles of growth appear. Very hardy and rugged.


Uses:

Accent Plant, Foundation Plant, Border, 

 

Height:  3  5 ft
Spread:  3 - 6 ft
Foliage:  Bright Green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  2 - 7


Tannenbaum Mugo Pine

This plant can be seen growing at Handy Andy's Nursery

Height:  8 - 12 ft
Spread:  4 - 6 ft
Foliage:  Bright Green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  2 - 7

 

Pinus mugo var. uncinata 'Tannenbaum'

A perfectly shaped, tough-as-nails, dwarf pine tree. 'Tannenbaum' has an open shape in youth but consistently matures to a compact, pyramidal form. Because it is grafted you won't see the variability in size and form so often associated with Mugo pine. All of these outstanding attributes make 'Tannenbaum' an excellent choice for a specimen tree. Exceptionally cold hardy. From South Dakota State University.

We try to have this plant available each season but availability is often scarce and difficult to come by.


Uses:

Accent Plant, Foundation Plant, Focal Point


Vanderwolf's Limber Pine

Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'

This popular variety of pine has unique blue-green needles. Sturdy, uniformly ascending branches. Attractive pyramidal shape that broadens with age.  This moderate to slow growing evergreen can reach a mature height of up to 20 ft, although it could be easily maintained at shorter if desired.


Uses:

Accent Plant, Focal Point

 

Height:  15 - 20 ft
Spread:  10 - 15 ft
Foliage:  Blue green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  4 - 7


pine tree varieties


Austrian Pine

Height:  40 - 50 ft
Spread:  15 - 20 ft
Foliage:  Green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  4 - 7

 

Pinus nigra

Darkest green of all the pines. Heavy, long needles with strong "Northwoods" fragrance. Vigorous, dense grower. This pine offers a much more dense canopy than the common Ponderosa Pine seen more frequently in our area.  Austrian tolerates heat, cold, and adverse conditions.


Uses:

Accent Plant, Focal Point, Windbreak


PONDEROSA PINE


Pinus ponderosa

A long-needled pine with dark green foliage and large cones. Flexible, three-needled pine. Best used in mass plantings in a park-like settings.  Often used by the NRCS in windrows and shelter belts around farmsteads.


Uses:

Accent Plant, Focal Point, Windbreak

 

Height:  60 - 80 ft
Spread:  20 - 30 ft
Foliage:  Green
Fall Foliage:  Evergreen
Zone:  2 - 7


The best time to prune pine trees is in late winter and early spring before new growth emerges.