This tree can withstand soil and air pollution and windbreaks, making it ideal for restoring land, reducing wind and stabilizing soil. It is thought that Romans worshipped the Austrian pine over 2000 years ago. It was introduced into the U.S. in 1759 and during the Dust Bowl, over 217 million were planted as an attempt to prevent storms and combat high winds and moisture evaporating from the soil. This was part of a project known as the Great Plains Shelterbelt.