{"product_id":"algonquin-pillar-swiss-stone-pine","title":"Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAn Exceptionally Narrow Columnar Pine\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlgonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine (\u003cem\u003ePinus cembra\u003c\/em\u003e 'Algonquin Pillar') is one of the narrowest pines you can grow - a tight, soft-needled column reaching 15-20 feet tall but only 2-4 feet wide. Its dense blue-green needles and slow, formal habit make it ideal for vertical accents and tight screens where width is at a premium. Tough, hardy, and refined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAlgonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePinus cembra\u003c\/em\u003e 'Algonquin Pillar'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlgonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow - 6-10 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; prefers well-drained soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - soft, dense blue-green needles in bundles of five\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to good - deer largely avoid mature pines, though tender new growth may be nibbled.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a European species (Swiss stone pine) selection well adapted to Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAlgonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVertical Exclamation Point\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 15-20 feet tall but only 2-4 feet wide, Algonquin Pillar is one of the narrowest columnar conifers you can grow - a true vertical exclamation point. Plant a matched pair to flank a front door or gate in Edina or Wayzata, or use a single column to add height and formality to a tight bed without spreading into the space around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eScreen for the Tightest Spaces\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slim profile lets you create an evergreen screen where nothing else fits - a narrow side yard, a slot between a house and the property line, or a tall privacy strip on a small Twin Cities lot. Space the columns 2-3 feet apart for a continuous green wall that takes up almost no ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLow-Maintenance Formal Column\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a Swiss stone pine, it is dense, slow, and naturally tidy, holding its narrow shape for years with no pruning. The soft blue-green needles give a refined, formal look in a Minneapolis or St. Paul entry bed, and it asks for almost nothing in return.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Algonquin Pillar establishes best when planted in late summer to early fall - late August through mid September is the ideal Twin Cities window, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes and reducing winter desiccation. Spring (late April through May, after the ground thaws) is the strong second choice. Avoid midsummer planting, and never plant after mid-October or before the ground thaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper - in heavy clay, go wider still and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan: if water pools in the bottom of the hole, break through the compacted layer or mound-plant. Swiss stone pine wants well-drained soil and dislikes wet feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20-30% compost; avoid creating a pure-compost pocket that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace columns 2-3 feet apart for a narrow screen, or give a single specimen its own slim footprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3-4 inch watering basin around the root zone, then flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept a couple of inches back from the trunk. Do not use gravel mulch - it offers no winter insulation in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1-2: water deeply every 1-2 days, soaking the root ball slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1-2: water every 3-4 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3 onward: water every 5-7 days through the growing season, easing off when rainfall is adequate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro). A single deep soak in early December helps if fall was dry, since evergreens lose moisture all winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished plants need supplemental water only during droughts - two or more weeks with no rain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply and infrequently, soaking to 6-8 inches, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily. It is hardy to roughly -40F (USDA zone 3) and, like all Swiss stone pines, is one of the toughest cold-hardy pines you can plant - a native of high alpine elevations, perfectly suited to the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow narrow does it really stay?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarkably narrow - just 2-4 feet wide at maturity, against a height of 15-20 feet. That extreme columnar shape is what makes it so useful where width is at a premium and you still want real height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerately. Deer usually leave mature pines alone but may nibble soft new growth, especially in winter. In high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka and Wayzata, protect young plants for the first couple of winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly, about 6-10 inches per year in Minnesota. The slow, steady growth keeps the column tight and in-scale for many years without any shearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlauca Swiss Stone Pine\u003c\/strong\u003e - the same tough, refined Swiss stone pine in a broader formal pyramid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStowe Pillar White Pine\u003c\/strong\u003e - a narrow native white pine with soft blue-green needles for a similar slim accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkinny Blue Genes White Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - an exceptionally slim blue-needled spruce column for the tightest screening lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHillside Upright Norway Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a slim, dense green spruce that pairs well in a narrow mixed-conifer planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it stays only 2-4 feet wide, this pine makes a tight, space-saving evergreen screen. Space columns about 2.5 feet apart for a solid green wall:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (~2.5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a single vertical accent or to flank a doorway, plant one column per spot or a matched pair 3-5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAlgonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft new candles extend the tight column; the five-needle blue-green foliage freshens up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, soft needles hold the narrow formal shape and provide year-round screening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stays evergreen and structural as deciduous plants color and drop around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The slim column sheds snow well and keeps blue-green color and vertical form through the long Minnesota winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Evergreen   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/stowe-pillar-white-pine\"\u003eStowe Pillar White Pine\u003c\/a\u003e - a narrow native white pine with soft blue-green needles for a matching slim accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hillside-upright-norway-spruce\"\u003eHillside Upright Norway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e - a slim, dense green spruce for a mixed narrow-conifer line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/columnar-white-pine\"\u003eColumnar White Pine\u003c\/a\u003e - another upright, soft-needled native pine for vertical structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/chalet-swiss-stone-pine\"\u003eChalet Swiss Stone Pine\u003c\/a\u003e - the same tough Swiss stone pine in a broader formal pyramid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Algonquin Pillar Swiss Stone Pine Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlgonquin Pillar is ideal where you need real height in almost no width - tight side yards, narrow screens, and formal entry accents in full sun with well-drained soil. Not a fit if your site stays wet or heavily shaded, or if you need fast screening - it grows slowly, so for quick height choose Black Hills Spruce or American Arborvitae instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#15 \/ 3' B\u0026B","offer_id":54295921525041,"sku":"GT-E2065.7","price":356.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 \/ 4' B\u0026B","offer_id":54295921557809,"sku":"GT-E2066","price":425.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/algonquin-pillar-swiss-stone-pine.jpg?v=1779469305","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/algonquin-pillar-swiss-stone-pine","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}