Pinus cembra 'Columnaris'
Common name:
Columnar Swiss Stone Pine
Pronunciation:
PI-nus sem-BRA
Family:
Pinaceae
Genus:
Synonyms:
'Stricta' (in part)
Type:
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon:
No
- Conifer, evergreen tree, 30-40 ft (9-12 m), narrow, densely columnar, pyramidal, slow growing. In first year, stem covered with dense, orange colored pubescence. Five needles per bundle, stiff, straight, 5-8 cm long, only 1 mm wide, inside of needles have bluish-white stomatal lines, leaf sheath (2 mm) falls the first year, needles persist for 4-5 years. Cones terminal, short-stalked, erect-ovoid, apex blunt, 5-8 cm long, purplish brown when mature.
- Sun. Does best in well-drained, loamy, slightly acid soil.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 4 The name 'Columnaris' has been used since 1897 for several different clones. It apparently grows better than the similar 'Stricta' ( van Geldren and van Hoey Smith, 1996). Some apply the name 'Stricta' to a more erect, columnar form.
- Oregon State Univ. campus: west side Ocean Administration Building (near 26th and Monroe).