Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: Bosnian pine

Family: Pinaceae (Pine)

Distribution: Southeastern Europe

Habitat: Montane forests and forested slopes

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3 (-40 to -30 °F)

Life form: Evergreen tree

Occurrence in New Mexico: Exotic

Growing Conditions: The Bosnian pine is native to mountainous areas from about 3,000 feet to subalpine levels in southeastern Europe, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. It is most commonly found on steep mountainsides growing in thin soil on limestone or rocky bluffs, but also occurs as pure stands on other alkaline substrates in scattered sites. It should be planted in full sun. It appreciates a medium amount of water. It is tolerant of extreme cold and wind and to air pollution. Bosnian pines prefer cool summer climates and do not like heat and humidity. It is a very long-lived tree; trees older than 1000 years are known in its native habitat. The Bosnian pine is a very slow growing tree that may reach 60-90 feet tall in its native typically harsh habitats, but it tends to grow more quickly under favorable conditions in cultivation to a tree about half that height.