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Pinus mugo subsp. mugo

Pinus mugo subsp. mugo

Mugo pine

synonym Pinus mugo var. mughus

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Description

Pinus mugo subsp. mugo is the typical low, broad and compact form of Pinus mugo and is native to the mountains of central and eastern Europe. This evergreen conifer forms a large shrub-like to low multi stemmed tree between two and four meters tall and just as wide, although very old specimens can reach up to ten meters in width despite the species’ slow growth. Most cultivars of Pinus mugo originate from this subspecies.

This plant has characteristic slightly curved needles that are three to five centimeters long, stiff in texture and borne in pairs. They remain on the plant for three to five years. The flowers appear in May in clusters at the tips of the twigs. The male flowers are yellow and the female flowers are red. The many prostrate and twisted stems are gray brown and scaly, while the twigs are smooth and olive green to brown.

Pinus mugo subsp. mugo can grow on virtually any soil type and has no strict requirements regarding pH. Dry and wet conditions are also tolerated as long as the site is sunny and low in nitrogen. Soil compaction is not tolerated. The extensive root system can stabilize soil, which is why this plant is used in Denmark and northern Germany to prevent sand drift in dune landscapes. In cultivation, this subspecies is also used as a groundcover, cloud hedge or slope stabilizer in both public and private settings. It requires little maintenance, since its dense growth suppresses weeds and its development is slow. Pinus mugo subsp. mugo is also a strong and characterful addition to rooftops and balconies.

Types of planting

Tree types

conifers solitary shrubs

Other types of planting

undergrowth

Topiary

bowl bowl bonsai bonsai

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden small garden patio cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones coastal area

Pavement

none none

Characteristics

Crown shape

flattened spherical flattened spherical

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

2 - 4 m

Width

2 - 4 m

Winter hardiness zone

3A - 10B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Extreme environments

tolerates air pollution

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Photos

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shrub solitary shrubs
Pinus mugo subsp. mugo solitary shrubs
shrub solitary shrubs
Pinus mugo subsp. mugo solitary shrubs
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Pinus mugo subsp. mugo multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Pinus mugo subsp. mugo multi-stem umbrella
leaves leaves
Pinus mugo subsp. mugo leaves

Flowers

Flowers

spikes striking

Flower colour

yellow-red red-brown

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green

Leaves

evergreen needles or scales short needles

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

cones

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling

Twigs

Twig colour

brown

Twigs

bare

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Wind
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Soil
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Extreme environments
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Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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E info@ebben.nl

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