Mountain pine

Pinus mugo
Mountain pine
Photo: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine
Photo: GT1976, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Mountain pine
Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the a, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

About

Mountain pine, known in the Carpathians as жереп, лелич or косодеревина, is the highest tree in Ukraine. It grows above the tree line, in the subalpine zone, forming a continuous krummholz. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, such krummholz is most prevalent in the Gorgany and Chornohora, and it also occurs in the Chivchyny and Marmarosh. On Pop Ivan Marmarosh, mountain pine has been found at an altitude of 2010 m.

This is not a tree of the usual appearance, but a bush with numerous trunks that sprawl along the slope and rise in arcs to 1–3 m. The needles are in pairs, dark green, stiff, slightly twisted, and 3–8 cm long. The cones are small, egg-shaped, and sit on the branches one to several at a time. The flexible trunks can withstand the weight of snow and avalanches: in winter, the krummholz is completely hidden under the snow cover.

For the mountains, mountain pine is very important. It holds the soil on steep slopes, protects against erosion and avalanches, accumulates snow, and regulates water runoff into streams. Therefore, areas of krummholz in the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and national parks are strictly protected.

For tourists, mountain pine presents a serious obstacle. The Gorgany trails are often cut through the krummholz, and it is nearly impossible to leave them: branches intertwine at waist or chest height, hiding stones and pits. Therefore, in the Gorgany and Chornohora, it is advisable not to venture off the marked trail, especially in fog: stay on the marked path.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore2 327 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries
Slovakia · Ukraine · Poland · Romania · Czechia · Hungary
Mountain ranges
High Tatras, Western Tatras, Low Tatras, Lesser Fatra, Greater Fatra, Belianske Tatras, Gorgany, Żywiec Beskids, Choč Mountains, Chornohora
Altitude belts
Conifer forests (1200–1600 m) · Subalpine belt (1600–1900 m)

When to see it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Krummholz is protected in reserves and national parks — do not break branches or light fires from them.

FAQ

What is mountain pine?

This is what the Carpathians call the mountain pine — a sprawling coniferous bush that forms impenetrable krummholz above the tree line.

Where in the Carpathians is mountain pine most abundant?

In the Gorgany and Chornohora; also in the Chivchyny and Marmarosh.

Recorded nearby

Dzembronia village, via Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi and Mount Smotrych to Dzembronia villageHardMulti-dayMarkedDzembronia village loopvia Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, Mount SmotrychElevation profile815–2 028 m25.3 kmascent 1 398 m≈ 9 h walkingDzembronia village, via Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi and Vesnarka polonyna to Shybene villageHardTwo-dayMarkedDzembronia village to Shybene villagevia Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, Vesnarka polonynaElevation profile854–2 028 m19.9 kmascent 1 304 m≈ 7.5 h walkingShybene village – Vesnarka polonyna – Lake Maricheika – Mount Pip IvanModerateOne-dayMarkedShybene village Mount Pip Ivanvia Vesnarka polonyna, Lake MaricheikaElevation profile853–2 028 m11 kmascent 1 206 m≈ 5 h walkingLuhy village – Lake BrebeneskulModerateTwo-dayMarkedLuhy village Lake BrebeneskulElevation profile653–1 793 m16.4 kmascent 1 155 m≈ 6.5 h walkingMount Kiziiskyi GorganPeakMount Kiziiskyi GorganBystrytsiaaltitude 1 617 m · Gorgany rangeKiziiskyi Gorgan (also Kozii Gorgan or Kozy Hora) is a 1,617 m mountain in the Gorgany.Mount PolenskyiPeakMount PolenskyiBystrytsiaaltitude 1 693 m · Gorgany rangePolenskyi (also Polensky, Polenski, Polenska) is a 1,693 m mountain in the Gorgany massif.

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Similar species

Swiss stone pineRed Data Book of UkraineSwiss stone pinePinus cembraThe Carpathian 'cedar': five soft needles in a bundle and cones with nuts. It grows near the tree line in the Gorgany; a vulnerable species listed in the Red Book.
Norway spruceNorway sprucePicea abiesNorway spruce is the main coniferous tree of the Carpathians: a dark sharp crown, prickly needles, and long cones that hang downwards. It grows up to the forest boundary.
Carpathian rhododendronPoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineCarpathian rhododendronRhododendron myrtifoliumThe same 'red ruta' from the song: an evergreen shrub that covers the polonynas with pink-purple flowers in June - July.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.