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Arolla pine

Pinus cembra

Last reviewed: November 2026

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Arolla pine (Pinus cembra)
Photo: (c) Wolfgang Jauch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wolfgang Jauch

Toxicity unknown

Arolla pine (Pinus cembra) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–600" H × 84"–180" W

Bloom

N/A

Before you buy

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Try it with your yard

Slow-growing evergreen pine with a narrow, upright form and soft blue-green needles bundled in fives. Native to the mountains of central Europe, it is a popular specimen tree in cold climates.

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How to care for Arolla pine, by region

How to care for Arolla pine where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.

Care guidance last updated: November 2026

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North Central Hardwood Forests (includes Minneapolis, MN)

Year-round

Arolla pine is a slow-growing evergreen pine from the mountains of central Europe, grown here as a garden tree.

  • It does best in full sun and well-drained soil.
  • It grows slowly to about 20 to 50 feet tall with a narrow, upright shape.
  • It tolerates cold winters well.

A narrow upright form suits a front yard specimen.

Fall

Fall is a good time to water before the ground freezes.

  • Water well before the ground freezes.
  • Older inner needles drop in fall, so rake lightly if desired.
  • Check mulch depth.

Light raking keeps the area tidy.

Winter

Winter is a rest period for this cold-hardy evergreen.

  • Brush off heavy wet snow gently to protect branches.
  • Water young trees during dry winter thaws.
  • Rinse road salt from the base if it splashes there.

An evergreen form keeps winter structure.

Spring

Spring is when new growth, called candles, extends from the branch tips.

  • Water weekly if rain is light.
  • Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, kept off the trunk.
  • Skip pruning, since the shape stays tidy on its own.

Fresh mulch keeps the base neat.

Summer

Summer growth is slow, and young trees need steady moisture.

  • Water deeply every one to two weeks in dry weather.
  • Keep mulch in place to hold moisture.
  • Avoid heavy fertilizer.

Little upkeep is needed once established.

Sources: Wikipedia, Pinus cembra (slow-growing evergreen pine native to the Alps and Carpathians; hardy in cold climates; needles in fives) (community tip)

In an HOA neighborhood

Arolla pine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: front yard specimen.

Wildlife value

Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals where the tree is established. Not a pollinator plant.

Common questions

How much sun does Arolla pine need?
Arolla pine grows best in full sun conditions.
Is Arolla pine HOA-friendly?
Arolla pine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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