crown massive, of variable shape (broadly conical to umbrella-shaped) branches relatively thick, firm bark is gray to black, deeply cracked (protrudes high up the trunk)
Leaves (assimilation organs)
needle-like, 8-16 cm long, firm, pointed, slightly serrate along the edge, semicircular in cross-section
grow two at a time on brachyblasts, needle sheaths are 10 - 12 mm long, membranous, persistent
needles last 3 - 5 years
Flowers
wood is monoecious, flowers are unisexual, blooms V – VI
morphologically and in arrangement similar to a forest pine
Fruits – seeds
the fruit is a cone 4 - 10 x 2.5 - 4 cm large, ovoid to oblong-ovoid, light brown, almost sessile, non-disintegrating
the label is diamond-shaped, radially grooved, yellow-brown, shiny with a transverse raised edge
seed scales are woody, dark brown to black on the underside
the navel is dark brown with a falling thorn
it ripens in the fall of 2 years and falls off in 3 years
the seed is 5 - 7 x 3 - 4 mm in size oblong-ovoid, variable in color, yellow-gray to brown, possibly marble-like
the membranous wing is 2-2.5 cm long, light brown, darker striped
Extension
original distribution - Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor to the Caucasus in mountainous areas from 600-2,000 m above sea level. m.
its occurrence is island-like (isolated)
it is not native to Slovakia
Ecology
it is a light-loving tree with low requirements for nutrient content and soil moisture
heat-demanding, grows well hl. on limestones, in our country it is resistant to frost
in the places of its original occurrence - it creates homogeneous and mixed stands with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Halep pine (Pinus halepensis), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), white fir (Abies alba), Greek fir (Abies cephalonica), cerium oak (Quercus cerris), felt oak (Quercus pubescens), holly oak (Quercus ilex), ...
Significance
in areas with original distribution, it is among the important wood
in Slovakia, it was used for the reforestation of devastated areas on limestone in karst areas (e.g. after grazing)
decorative in habit, creates several forms (columnar, reclining, ...)
is resistant to exhalation, suitable for urban environment
