Pinus peuce Griseb.

Pinus peuce (Macedonian Pine) is a species of pine native to the mountains of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia and the extreme north of Greece, growing typically at (600-) 1,000-2,200 (-2,300) m altitude. It often reaches the alpine tree line in this area. The mature size is up to 35-40 m height, and 1.5 m trunk diameter.

It is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subsect. Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6-11 cm long. Macedonian Pine cones are mostly 8-16 cm long, occasionally up to 20 cm long. The seeds are 6-7 mm long and have a 2 cm wing, and can be wind-dispersed, but are also very often dispersed by Nucifraga caryocatactes (Spotted Nutcracker).

Like other European and Asian white pines, Macedonian Pine is very resistant to Cronartium ribicola (White Pine Blister Rust).

Macedonian Pine is also a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, giving reliable steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites. It is very tolerant of severe winter cold, hardy down to at least -45°C, and also of wind exposure.

Source: adapted from the Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pinus_peuce&oldid=301141997