Pinus mugo / Pino mugo

Origin: Central Europe

Botanical characteristics: It is an evergreen shrub conifer with prostrate growth habit and branches ascending to the apex. It can be also a small tree with a rounded and spreading crown. The bark is dark grey and the sturdy needles, grouped in two, are slightly prickly, a bit curved, dark-green, from 3 to 6 cm long. It is a monoecious plant with male and female flowers that are separated but on the same plant. The dark brown cones are ovoid or oblong and 2-6 cm long.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It can be found in mountain areas beyond the normal tree limit, on subalpine bushes between 1500 and 2700 meters above sea level, especially on calcareous soils. In Italy it can be found in the eastern Alps, but it is particularly rare in the Maritime Alps and Apennines. It adapts to all type of soils, including the dry ones and resists urban pollution.

Use: It is mainly used to reforest the mountain areas and safeguard the dry and stony soil on the slopes. In parks, gardens and urban green areas it is used singly or in groups as ornamental plant. It is used in escarpment and rocky gardens, too.