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A short description of the Arolla or Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.).
Pinus cembra (german: Zirbelkiefer, Arve, Zirbel) is a slow growing tree species. In Europe it naturally grows in high altitudes, e.g. in the southern Alps up to 2.700 m.
Under good environmental conditions it can grow up to a height of more than 25 m and can reach 1,5 m in diameter. It can get more than 400 years old; some say more than 1.000 years. Its seed cones contain rather big edible seeds. They are eaten and dispersed, for instance by the Eurasian nutcracker (Nucifaga caryocatactes, german: Tannenhäher), Woodpeckers and Squirrels. The needles are 5-12 cm long and grow in fascicles of five. This tree species is rather resistant to cold temperatures, but it is sensitive to late frost (in spring) and to drought stress mainly in lower altitudes. The wood is rather light and soft with a strong aromatic odor. It is mainly used for furniture and interior. For more information, please refer for example to the following links:
- Swiss Stone Pine – Portrait of a Mountain Forest Tree (waldwissen.net)
- Pinus cembra - EUFORGEN European forest genetic resources programme
- Swiss stone pine | The Morton Arboretum
- Cembra pine - Swiss National Parc (nationalpark.ch)
- Pinus_cembra.pdf (europa.eu)
- Spotted nutcracker - Wikipedia
(Last visit: 18. March 2024).