Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus Cembra) 5 seeds (#73)

This slow-growing tree from mountains of Europe and western Asia is prized for its compact, symmetrical, upright habit.
The long, stiff, dark-green to blue-green needles of this hardy conifer occur in bundles of five. In spring, trees produce tiny male and female cones near the branch tips. Female cones persist 3 years, maturing to purple-blue and then brown. Mature female cones are the size and shape of a large egg, and do not open.
A slow-growing, pyramidal to columnar tree with upswept branches, Swiss stone pine typically retains its lower limbs and its dense narrow habit for many years, but may become broader and more open in old age.
This tough, adaptable, and beautiful tree favors full sun and well-drained, humus-rich soil. It does poorly in hot arid climates. With its dense, upright, somewhat formal bearing, this conifer is perfect as an accent or for grouping in residential and public landscapes.

Genus - Pinus
Species - Cembra
Common name - Swiss Stone Pine
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 2 - 7
Height - 30'-70' / 9 - 21 m
Spread - 10'-25' / 3 - 8 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Slow
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, Sand, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the seeds in a container with tepid water and soak them for 24 hours. Change the water and wait another 24 hours.
2. Put the seeds in a small plastic bag and cover with damp sand. Place the bag holding the seeds in the refrigerator for 60 days to stratify the seeds, which is preserving seeds in layers of moisture-laden peat, soil or sand. Check the sand and water as needed to maintain moisture. Don't allow the seeds to get soaked.
3. Fill small pots with compost. Place one or two pine seeds on top of the compost in each pot, then cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand.
4. Water the sand and compost to add moisture, then place the pots in a warm, sunny location. As the seedlings emerge and grow, the soil needs to remain moist, not wet.
5. Re-pot the pine trees into medium-sized pots in the fall. Grow them in the pots for the following season until they are large and strong enough for transplanting into the landscape.