Editing Pinus cembra

{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{more footnotes|date=June 2013}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Zirbe01.jpg
| image_caption = Swiss pine growing on the Dachstein, [[Austria]]
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2017 |title=''Pinus cembra'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T42349A95684563 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T42349A95684563.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| display_parents = 3
| genus = Pinus
| parent = Pinus subsect. Strobus
| species = cembra
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| range_map = Pinus cembra range.svg
| range_map_caption = Distribution
}}

'''''Pinus cembra''''', also known as '''Swiss pine''', '''Swiss stone pine''', '''Arolla pine''', '''Austrian stone pine''', or just '''stone pine''', is a species of [[pine]] [[tree]] in the subgenus ''Strobus''.

== Description ==
The Swiss pine is a member of the [[Pinus classification|white pine]] group, ''Pinus'' subgenus ''Strobus'', and like all members of that group, the [[leaf|leaves]] ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. The mature size is typically between {{convert|25|m|ft}} and {{convert|35|m|ft}} in height, and the trunk diameter can be up to {{convert|1.5|m|ft}}. However, it grows very slowly and it may take 30 years for the tree to reach {{convert|1.3|m|ft}}.{{fact|date=January 2023}} The [[conifer cone|cones]], which contain the seeds (or nuts), of the Swiss pine are {{convert|4|cm|in}} to {{convert|8|cm|in}} long. Cones take 2 years (24 months) to mature. The {{convert|8|mm|in}} to {{convert|12|mm|in}} long [[seed]]s have only a vestigial wing and are dispersed by [[spotted nutcracker]]s. The species is long-lasting and can reach an age between 500 and 1000 years.<ref name="ulber04" />

In its natural environment, this tree usually reaches [[reproductive maturity]] at the age of 50 years (even 80 years, if the conditions are more extreme). 

The very similar [[Siberian pine]] (''Pinus sibirica'') is treated as a variety or subspecies of Swiss pine by some botanists. The Siberian pine differs in having slightly larger cones, being more massive (taller, wider trunk), having a faster growth rate and needles with three [[resin]] canals instead of two as in the Swiss pine.
[[File:Swiss stone pine (pinus cembra) bark.jpg|left|thumb|260x260px|Bark of middle-aged ''Pinus cembra'']]
<gallery mode="packed" heights="170">
File:Pinus cembra cones in Gröden crop.jpg|Cones of ''Pinus cembra''
File:Fresh Pinus cembra cone in June.jpg|Close-up of an immature cone from a cultivated ''Pinus cembra''
File:Pinus cembra cone dried.jpg|Close-up of a mature cone from a cultivated ''Pinus cembra''
File:Pinus cembra seedling planted for pine nut production.jpg|5-year-old ''Pinus cembra'' seedling planted for [[pine nut]] production, [[Baldone]], [[Latvia]]
File:Bark of an young Arolla pine.jpg|[[Bark (botany)|Bark]] of a young ''Pinus cembra'', [[National Botanic Garden of Latvia]]
File:Pinus cembra coupe MHNT.jpg|Cross-section of ''Pinus cembra'' - 181 years - [[MHNT]]
File:Swiss pine (Pinus cembra) 'Columnaris' cone.jpg|''Pinus cembra'' 'Columnaris' (cultivar) one year-old cone and foliage
</gallery>

== Distribution and habitat ==
The Swiss pine grows in the [[Alps]] and [[Carpathian Mountains]] of central [[Europe]], in [[Poland]] ([[Tatra Mountains]]), [[Swiss Alps|Switzerland]], [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Austria]], [[Germany]], [[Slovenia]], [[Slovakia]] ([[Tatra Mountains]]), [[Ukraine]] and [[Romania]]. It typically grows at {{convert|1,200|m|ft}} to {{convert|2,300|m|ft}} altitude. It often reaches the [[tree line|alpine tree line]] in this area.
<gallery>
File:Odles Cisles y Mastle pinus Cembra.jpg|''Pinus cembra'' with ''[[Rhododendron ferrugineum]]'' on the trail to the ''Furcela Piza'' with the Odles Group and the Mastlé Mountain, [[Puez-Geisler Nature Park]], [[Dolomites]]
File:Hochrindl Larix decidua Pinus cembra 21102013 169.jpg|Autumnal ''[[Larix decidua]]'' (yellow), ''Pinus cembra'' (dark green, wide), and ''[[Picea abies]]'' (dark green, slender) landscape. [[Carinthia]], [[Austria]]
File:Tamangur.jpg|In Tamangur forest. [[Scuol]], [[Switzerland]]
</gallery>

== Ecology ==
Swiss pine associates with numerous species of [[Mycorrhiza|mycorrhizal fungi]] from a young age, usually from the genus ''[[Suillus]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rainer|first1=Georg|last2=Kuhnert|first2=Regina|last3=Unterholzer|first3=Mara|last4=Dresch|first4=Philipp|last5=Gruber|first5=Andreas|last6=Peintner|first6=Ursula|date=2015-04-30|title=Host-Specialist Dominated Ectomycorrhizal Communities of Pinus cembra are not Affected by Temperature Manipulation|journal=Journal of Fungi|volume=1|issue=1|pages=55–75|doi=10.3390/jof1010055|issn=2309-608X|pmc=5770009|pmid=29376899|doi-access=free}}</ref> This [[symbiosis]] improves the tree's growth and survival rate.

==Uses==
Swiss pine is a popular ornamental tree in [[park]]s and large [[garden]]s, giving steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites where the [[climate]] is cold. It is very tolerant of severe winter cold, hardy down to at least {{Convert|-50|°C|°F|0|abbr=on}}, and also of wind exposure. The seeds are also harvested and sold as [[pine nut]]s. When cultivated, it will likely start producing cones after the age of 12 years, much faster than in the wild. This depends on the climate, soil type, [[mycorrhiza]]l fungi etc. To make the tree bear cones faster, the tree can be inoculated with [[ectomycorrhiza]]l fungi, such as ''[[Suillus luteus]], [[Suillus americanus]], [[Suillus placidus]]'' etc. These are the most effective. 

[[File:Pinoli pino cembro sgusciati e da sgusciare.jpg|left|thumb|Seeds with and without their shell, with a one-euro coin for scale (23.25mm diameter) |214x214px]]Pine cones cut into slices are used to flavor [[schnapps]], which is then sold as "Zirbenschnaps" or "Zirbeler" schnapps.

The wood is the most used for carvings in [[Val Gardena]] since the 17th century.

{{anchor|Heraldry}}
The cone of the Swiss pine was the [[field sign]] of the [[Roman legion]] stationed in [[Rhaetia]] in 15 BC, and hence it is used as the [[Charge (heraldry)|heraldic charge]] (known as ''Zirbelnuss'' in German) in the coat of arms of the city of [[Augsburg]], the site of the Roman fort [[Augusta Vindelicorum]].

It is also a species that is often used in bonsai.

''Pinus cembra'' can be found in the uppermost forest belt where it helps to minimize the risk of avalanches and soil erosion. Due to this ability, the tree is valued as a stabilizing factor for afforestation projects at high elevations.<ref name="ulber04">{{citation |author=Ulber, M. |title=Swiss stone pine - ''Pinus cembra'': Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use |date=2004 |url=https://www.euforgen.org/publications/publication/ipinus-cembrai-technical-guidelines-for-genetic-conservation-and-use-for-swiss-stone-pine/ |pages=6 |publisher=[[European Forest Genetic Resources Programme]] |name-list-style=amp |author2=Gurgerli, F. |author3=Bozic, G.}}</ref>

Like other European and [[Asia]]n white pines, Swiss pine is very resistant to [[white pine blister rust]] (''Cronartium ribicola''). This fungal disease was accidentally introduced from [[Europe]] into [[North America]], where it has caused severe mortality in the American native white pines in many areas, notably, [[Western white pine]] and the closely related [[whitebark pine]]. Swiss pine is of great value for research into hybridization to develop rust resistance in these species.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|Zirbelkiefer}}
{{Commons|Pinus cembra}}
* [https://www.waldwissen.net/en/forestry/silviculture/mountain-forest/swiss-stone-pine-portrait-of-a-mountain-forest-tree Swiss Stone Pine – Portrait of a Mountain Forest Tree] in ''waldwissen.net''
* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/PNStrobus.htm ''Pinus cembra'' cone pic (scroll to bottom of page)]
* [http://www.pinetum.org/sp/Aletsch.htm Photos of ''Pinus cembra'' in Switzerland]
* [http://humanresearch.at/newwebcontent/?page_id=96&lang=en Link to Joanneum Research Study]
* [http://humanresearch.at/newwebcontent/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pdf_Zirbenholz_Folder_en.pdf Folder Joanneum Research: Stone Pine - Positive health effects of Stone Pine furniture]
* [http://www.euforgen.org/species/pinus-cembra/ ''Pinus cembra''] - distribution map, genetic conservation units and related resources. [[European Forest Genetic Resources Programme]] (EUFORGEN)

{{Taxonbar|from=Q147278}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Flora of Poland]]
[[Category:Least concern plants]]
[[Category:Pinus|Cembra]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Trees of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of France]]
[[Category:Flora of the Alps]]
[[Category:Flora of the Carpathians]]