Mugo Pine - Tree Form

The Mugo Pine grows wild throughout the European Alps, from France and Switzerland to Austria. In the wild is can be a tall tree, but is usually seen as a rounded bush, often quite tall. Gardeners loved the look of this tree, but found it too large for many gardens, so they found and reproduced selected forms that grow into dense bushes about three feet tall, eventually reaching perhaps five feet in height and six of more feet across. This plant, the Dwarf Mugo Pine, grows well in almost all areas, from the Canadian border to the northern areas of the southern states. Only in the Deep South, Florida and coastal California is the weather too hot for this lovely tree.

Here at the Tree Center we thought that this pine would make a great gift tree, but to make it even more special we asked our growers to attach stem pieces from the best, selected dwarf forms onto taller pine stems, lifting the tree into the air a little so that it can be more admired, and giving it extra height for foundation planting around the home or to grow in a large pot. Once they did this we saw what a beautiful gift tree this made – something different and special, yet sturdy and easily grown by anyone. You can even give this gift tree to someone without a garden, because it makes a lovely specimen in a pot placed in the corner of a balcony or terrace for some extra height and permanence among flowering plants.

Growing Mugo Pine Trees

Because of the short stem, these trees will grow five to seven feet tall and around three feet across; a perfect size to make a statement in the garden without overwhelming even a very small space. The elegant, rounded but upright form is also ideal to place among shorter bushes, in any sunny or lightly-shaded spot in the garden. If you want to keep your tree extra compact and bushy, simply break the new shoots in half each spring, before the needles expand. You will get a perfect, very dense form, without needing to do any clipping and so avoiding damage to the needles.

The Dwarf Mugo Pine forms a mound of many branches, all covered in rich green needles about two inches long. These radiate around the branches, giving a beautiful dense form to the bush. Mature plants may produce small, dark-brown cones that only add to the charm of this handsome evergreen.

Care and Maintenance

Once established the Dwarf Mugo Pine Tree will thrive without any care. It is very drought resistant and deer will not bother it. Any pests it may rarely get are easily controlled, so this is truly an easy low-maintenance tree that anyone can grow. If you have a family starting their first home, a gift of this tree will mark that new beginning and live for many years, bringing back memories of those early times, as it matures into a graceful and striking specimen in the garden.

Buying Dwarf Mugo Pines at The Tree Center

At the Tree Center we pride ourselves on quality and these special trees take a lot of skill to grow well. So avoid seedling Mugo Pine trees that may be cheaper, as these will not be the selected dwarf forms we offer, and can even grow into tall trees, not the lovely dwarf you are looking for. They will also sit right on the ground and not have the special trunk our expert gardeners mounted them on to create this unique tree.

So no matter what kind of garden you are thinking of gifting a tree to, or even if the receiver has no garden at all, choose the Dwarf Mugo Pine Tree for something that is special and beautiful, as well as easy to grow for even a first time gardener. Never bare and empty of leaves, this lovely evergreen needle tree will be the perfect gift. Because these trees are special, our stocks can be limited. Although we regularly receive new shipments, order now while stocks last and avoid being disappointed. This is the perfect gift tree for a new gardener, or one who has been gardening for years, so choose the Dwarf Mugo Pine Tree and you will be glad you did.