Habitat

• native to southeastern Europe
• zone 4

Habit and Form

• evergreen tree with pendulous branches
• narrow, conical shape
• 50' to 60' tall and 20' to 25' wide, can reach over a 100'
• slow growth rate
• medium texture

Summer Foliage

• dark green in color with no stomatal line on upperside of leaf
• needles are 0.5" to 1" long
• needles tend to point forward and overlap
• needles are pointed on young trees, mature trees tend to have a rounded needle apex
• underside of leaf is glacous with 2 stomal lines

Autumn Foliage

• no fall color, evergreen

Flowers

• monoecious
• not ornamentaly important

Fruit

• cones found at the ends of branches
• mature cones are short; 1.25" to 1.75" long by 0.5" to .75" wide
• purple color turning to a reddish brown at maturity
• cone scales have small dentate margins

Bark

• dark black-brown color
• peeling, thin scales

Culture

• best in moist, well-drained, organic soils
• pH adaptable
• best if protected from strong winter winds
• full sun
• tolerant of city pollution

Landscape Use

• specimen
• screen
• large shade tree when an evergreen is desired

Liabilities

• occasionaly problem with borers and aphids
• can not tolerant strong winter winds

ID Features

• large, narrow, evergreen tree
• small cones
• needles leave petiole on stem when pulled off
• short needles, overlapping and pointing forward
• dark green color
• slender trunk for tree size

Propagation

• by seed
• cultivars by grafting or some by cuttings

Cultivars/Varieties

'Nana' - This form assumes a dense, globular form when young. In time, it becomes a broad pyramid. The needles are densely set, deep green and have a white line underneath.

'Pendula' - Very popular as a specimen plant with upscale landscapers, this tree has drooping branches that make for a dramatic specimen. The habit is open, with deep green needles that are whitish underneath. 'Pendula Bruns' is a similar selection with an even more strongly weeping habit.