Swiss stone pine

Cembro pine, also known as arole or alpine pine, is a majestic coniferous tree native to the mountains of the Alps, characteristic of high altitudes. It is distinguished by its straight trunk and its often multiple crowns as it ages. What makes it special? Its needles, grouped in clusters of five (instead of the usual two), are rigid, dark green, slightly bluish in colour, and measure between 5 and 12 cm in length.

Cembro pine is renowned for its exceptional longevity, which can reach several centuries. It is a slow-growing tree, growing by 1.30 metres in 30 years, and can reach a height of 25 metres in 600 years in its natural environment.

Because of its slow growth and longevity, cembro pine is particularly appreciated in bonsai, where it is grown for its elegant silhouette and its ability to develop harmonious shapes over time.