Mugo Pine vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Mugo Pine vs Western Snowberry

Pinus mugo

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mugo Pine
Western Snowberry

The Mugo Pine is a smaller evergreen that is commonly seen in small city lots or up against houses or commercial buildings. Its slow growth allows for a long life without ever getting too large.

It is a very attractive tree that seldom gets the attention it deserves outside of professional landscapers. Mugo Pine is an extremely hardy, adaptable evergreen.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Mugo Pine Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: mountain pine, swiss mountain pine
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry