Identifying characteristics:
Also called the "Swiss mountain pine" or the "mountain pine,"
this species is recognizable by its tendency to branch freely near the ground
and form a low, irregular, spreading bush. The climate, soil conditions
and seed source all affect the variability of the species, producing variations
in shape and habit. The general dimensions are 15 to 20 feet tall by 20
to 25 feet wide. The stout, 1.5- to 3-inch-long
needles occur in fascicles of 2 and are rigid and curved,
with the tips ending in short, blunt, horny points. The basal sheath is
0.6 inches long. Needles are dark green and both surfaces have fine, white
stomatic lines. Needles persist for 5 years or more, often turning yellow-green
in winter, particularly at the tips. The conical or ovoid-conical cones are short-stalked and 1 to 2 inches
long. They grow erect, horizontal or slightly pendulous along the branchlet
and occur solitary or in groups of 2 to 4. The exposed part (apophysis)
is tawny yellow or brown, and the apex (umbo) is light-colored, surrounded
by a darker ring and has no prickle. Buds are oblong-ovoid, with
resinous, closely-appressed, reddish-brown scales. The grayish-brown bark is broken into irregular plates,
and is scaly on younger trees. The leaves produce regularly-spaced projections
on the stems as they abscise.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: The mugo pine is native to the mountain areas
of central and southern Europe from Spain to the Balkans. The best specimens
grow in the Pyrenees and French Alps, reaching a height of 80 feet. It is
hardy throughout Iowa.
Habitat: This pine is a slow grower and is able to withstand severe cold, and windy, exposed conditions. It grows in full sun or partial shade and prefers deep, moist loam but will tolerate sandy soils, gravely soils, calcareous soils and even bogs. It is susceptible to Diplodia tip blight, wood rots, rusts, borers, sawflies and pine leaf scale. Scale infestations can become a serious problem.
Uses:
Wood: The shape of the tree makes the mugo pine an undesirable
timber candidate. It is used as firewood and pine oil is extracted
from the leaves and used for medicinal purposes.
Wildlife: Pines are of great importance to wildlife. Pine seeds are eaten by many birds, particularly the red crossbill, Clarke nutcracker and white-headed woodpecker. Hoofed browsers eat the twigs and foliage; and many other mammals, such as porcupines, squirrels and hares, feed on the bark, foliage and seeds. The low growth habit of the mugo pine lends itself to use as valuable roosting places for birds and as cover for wildlife. Several songbird species use the needles as nest material.
Horticulture: The mugo pine is an important low-growing pine for landscape use in parks and large gardens. It is very adaptable to various climatic and soil conditions, and is often used near houses and other buildings as a foundation planting. It responds well to pruning and transplants easily. 'Compacta' is a very dense, compact form. 'Mops' is a globose, dwarf form with short needles and a height and spread of 3 feet. The variety rostrata is an 80-foot tree from the mountains of France and Spain. It has been used to restore upturned bogs and as a companion plant with timber trees in very cold, exposed mountain sites in Scotland.
