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Tree · Pinaceae family

Bosnian pine

Pinus heldreichii

Full sun in a garden 2.4–3.6 m × 1.2–2.4 m to −23 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years2.4–3.6 m
in the wild up to 15 m
spacing 4 m
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averagegravellyloamysandy

Watering

regularly until establishedat the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−23 °C
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m10–15 mspread 4–6 m
10–15 m× spread 4–6 m

Plant 4 m apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Pine needle scale

Chionaspis pinifoliae
High riskpest
More about this problem

What you will see

White scales on the needles, needles turn yellow and growth weakens.

The source says: it is a key pest of pines.

How to protect

  1. Gentle spray early AprilUltra-fine horticultural oil in spring.
  2. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorised in your country against scale insects on pine (as per the label; only if the other steps are not enough).
Pine needle scalepestHigh risk

What you will see

White scales on the needles, needles turn yellow and growth weakens.

The source says: it is a key pest of pines.

How to protect

  1. Gentle spray early AprilUltra-fine horticultural oil in spring.
  2. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorised in your country against scale insects on pine (as per the label; only if the other steps are not enough).
More about this problem

Diplodia tip blight

Sphaeropsis pinea (Diplodia sapinea)
High riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Reduced shoot growth, branch dieback, short needles that soon turn brown; small black fruiting bodies at the needle sheath.

The source says: it can be a devastating disease of pines, especially two- and three-needled ones.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Maintain vigour: feed, deal with insects and water in dry periods.
  2. By hand dry autumnCut off and remove dead twigs, branches and cones during a dry autumn.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorised in your country against Sphaeropsis/Diplodia dieback of pines; a supplement to the mechanical steps.
Diplodia tip blightdiseaseHigh risk

What you will see

Reduced shoot growth, branch dieback, short needles that soon turn brown; small black fruiting bodies at the needle sheath.

The source says: it can be a devastating disease of pines, especially two- and three-needled ones.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Maintain vigour: feed, deal with insects and water in dry periods.
  2. By hand dry autumnCut off and remove dead twigs, branches and cones during a dry autumn.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorised in your country against Sphaeropsis/Diplodia dieback of pines; a supplement to the mechanical steps.
More about this problem
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does Bosnian pine tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does Bosnian pine need?

At maturity 4–6 m wide and 10–15 m tall; recommended spacing 4 m.

Pine needle scale — what can you do?

Ultra-fine horticultural oil in spring.

Diplodia tip blight — what can you do?

Maintain vigour: feed, deal with insects and water in dry periods. Cut off and remove dead twigs, branches and cones during a dry autumn.

Sources (14) Checked 24 October 2026

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