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).
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • branches

    branches

  • branch and needles

    branch and needles

  • branch, first year's growth

    branch, first year's growth