Swiss Stone Pine
Pinus cembra
Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30 to 40 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun.
low to medium water30 to 40 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Wolfgang Jauch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wolfgang Jauch
- Photo 2: (c) Igor Balashov, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) CorentinD, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CorentinD
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 7
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30 to 40 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Ignitable (CSU): keep 30+ ft from the house, thinned
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
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 to 10 days through the first 2 summers (less for xeric pines in heavy clay, they're prone to root rot). Winter water 1 to 2×/month October to 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 Swiss Stone Pine good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Swiss Stone Pine is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Swiss Stone Pine only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: Our alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- How big does Swiss Stone Pine get?
- It matures to about 30 to 40 ft tall and 15 to 20 ft wide.
- How much room does Swiss Stone Pine need?
- Give Swiss Stone Pine about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Swiss Stone Pine grow into?
- Swiss Stone Pine typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Swiss Stone Pine hardy on the Front Range?
- Swiss Stone Pine is hardy in USDA 3 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Swiss Stone Pine need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Swiss Stone Pine grow?
- Swiss Stone Pine is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Swiss Stone Pine live?
- Swiss Stone Pine is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Swiss Stone Pine native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Swiss Stone Pine a good firewise plant near the house?
- Swiss Stone Pine is listed by CSU Extension among the more ignitable plants, so keep it 30 or more feet from the house and keep it thinned and well maintained. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Swiss Stone Pine prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Swiss Stone 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.
