Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine
Pinus mugo
Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine (Pinus mugo) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 10–15 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun.
Photos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Pinus mugo
- Variety / cultivar
- Mugo: Tannenbaum
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 10–15 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Mature form
- Spreading
- Spacing / clearance
- ~10 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines
- Pine wilt nematode (esp. Scots and Austrian pine)
- Pine needle scale
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers (less for xeric pines in heavy clay, they're prone to root rot). Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, evergreens transpire year-round. Year 3: taper to twice per month in summer; only during extreme drought thereafter.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine get?
- It matures to about 10–15 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How much room does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine need?
- Give Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine about 10 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine grow into?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine typically grows into a wide, spreading habit, broader than it is tall, give it room and keep it back from buildings. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine hardy on the Front Range?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine grow?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine live?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine deer-resistant?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Mugo: Tannenbaum Pine can be affected by mountain pine beetle in drought-stressed pines and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
