European mountain pine

Large, slow growing, widely spreading, bushy evergreen shrub, conifer (H 2-3 m, W 3-4 m), eventually a small tree. Bark grey, rough. Crown broadly spherical, flattened. Branches flexible, upright to widely spreading, eventually prostrate; short, bent. Buds egg-shaped, resinous. Needles (3-7 cm) pointed, in pairs, stiff to slightly spiraly bent, mid to dark green. Flowers separately arranged in male and female inflorescence, on the same plant. Flowering period: April. Fruits cones (2-6 cm), elongate to egg-shaped, grey-brown. Requires dry, sufficiently drained soils; withstands semi-shade. Very tolerant of snow, wind and urban conditoins.