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Swiss pine (Pinus cembra)
Photo: Tigerente at German Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries tree

Swiss pine

Pinus cembra

Family: Pinaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: Slovakia, Switzerland, Poland.

A conifer growing to 20–25 m, often with a contorted, multi-topped form in the mountains. Its needles grow in bundles of five, and its egg-shaped cones do not open on their own – the edible, wingless seeds are extracted and dispersed by nutcrackers. It grows very slowly and can live for 500–1,000 years. Swiss pine wood is soft, aromatic and highly prized for carving and furniture-making, and its scent repels moths.

Description from: Slovakia.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Slovakia no. 2 of 8 native

    In the Tatras the Swiss pine is a relic of the Ice Age and is strictly protected.

  2. Switzerland no. 3 of 8 native

    In the Engadine and Valais, Swiss pine wood has been used for centuries for panelling, furniture and beds – in Switzerland it is widely believed that its scent improves sleep.

  3. Poland no. 5 of 15 native

    In Poland the Swiss pine grows naturally only in the Tatras, where it is a strictly protected species and one of the symbols of Tatra National Park.