{"product_id":"austrian-pine","title":"Austrian Pine","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Tough Tall Evergreen Pine for Minnesota Windbreaks\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eAustrian Pine (\u003cem\u003ePinus nigra\u003c\/em\u003e) is a fast-growing tall evergreen, mature 50–60 ft tall by 20–30 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F. Tolerates urban pollution, road salt, and Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles better than most pines — the right pick for windbreaks and large-property privacy screens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eAustrian 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\u003cem\u003ePinus nigra\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustrian Pine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — 12–18 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\u003eLow to moderate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates wide range including poor and sandy soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — long stiff dark-green needles in pairs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Salt and pollution tolerant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral European species; widely planted in Minnesota for hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eAustrian Pine Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eProperty Line Windbreaks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustrian Pine builds tall solid windbreaks fast. Plant 15–20 feet apart in a single row, or 12–15 feet apart in offset double rows for maximum density.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTolerates Tough Sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSalt spray, road runoff, urban pollution — Austrian Pine handles conditions that kill other pines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Austrian Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Austrian Pine. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Austrian Pine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 15–20 feet apart for windbreak; 25 feet for individual specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering Austrian Pine in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished Austrian Pine rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for Austrian Pine if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Austrian Pine survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate — 12–18 inches per year. A 20-gallon plant reaches 15–20 ft in 8–10 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it bothered by Diplodia tip blight?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be in stressed plantings. Site in well-drained soil with good air circulation to minimize risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Companion native conifer for mixed windbreaks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Mid-summer white blooms in front of the dark windbreak backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Austrian Pine Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a single-row windbreak at the recommended 15-foot spacing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees Needed (15 ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor maximum density, plant an offset double row at 12–15 feet between trees — roughly double the single-row count. Give a stand-alone specimen a full 25 feet of clearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAustrian Pine Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright \"candles\" of new growth extend from every branch tip, thickening the crown each year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, stiff, dark-green paired needles form a dense, deep-green wall of shade and shelter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its rich color while deciduous trees drop — the windbreak stays solid as the landscape empties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dark evergreen barrier against wind and drifting snow, unfazed by -40°F cold and road salt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Salt-Tolerant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-hills-spruce\"\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a slower, denser native spruce that layers beautifully into a mixed windbreak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/norway-spruce\"\u003eNorway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a fast, stately spruce to alternate with the pines for a varied evergreen wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/techny-arborvitae\"\u003eTechny Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — a broad pyramidal evergreen for the shorter, inner row of a layered screen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/common-hackberry\"\u003eCommon Hackberry\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough native shade tree that thrives in the same exposed, salty sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Austrian Pine Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustrian Pine thrives in full sun on almost any well-drained soil — sandy, poor, salty, or roadside — and is built for large properties, exposed sites, and property-line windbreaks across the Twin Cities. It's not a fit for small urban lots or crowded, poorly drained corners: it needs room for a 20–30 foot spread and good air circulation to stay ahead of Diplodia tip blight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54102974824753,"sku":null,"price":123.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 Gallon","offer_id":54102974857521,"sku":null,"price":205.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5' BB","offer_id":54102974890289,"sku":null,"price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' BB","offer_id":54102974923057,"sku":null,"price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"7' BB","offer_id":54102974955825,"sku":null,"price":521.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"8' BB","offer_id":54102974988593,"sku":null,"price":548.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Austrian_pine_10.jpg?v=1777906790","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/austrian-pine","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}