GROUP OF SIBERIAN PINES,Switzerland,Views of Switzerland,1870 Antique Wood Engraving Historical Collectible Art Print

The Swiss Pine or Arolla Pine (Pinus cembra; family Pinaceae) is a species of pine tree that occurs in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains of central Europe, in Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania. It typically grows at (1,200-) 1,500-2,200 (-2,300) m altitude. It often reaches the alpine tree-line in this area. The mature size is up to 25-35 m height, and 1.5 m trunk diameter. It is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 5-9 cm long. Swiss Pine cones are 4-8 cm long. The 8-12 mm long seeds have only a vestigial wing and are dispersed by Spotted Nutcrackers. The very similar Siberian Pine (Pinus sibirica) is treated as a variety or subspecies of Swiss Pine by some botanists. It differs in having slightly larger cones, and needles with three resin canals instead of two in Swiss Pine.