Swiss pine associates with numerous species of mycorrhizal fungi from a young age, usually from the genus Suillus.

Swiss pine is a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, giving steady though not fast growth on a wide range of sites where the climate is cold.

The cone of the Swiss pine was the field sign of the Roman legion stationed in Rhaetia in 15 BC, and hence it is used as the heraldic charge (known as Zirbelnuss in German) in the coat of arms of the city of Augsburg, the site of the Roman fort Augusta Vindelicorum.

Pinus cembra can be found in the uppermost forest belt where it helps to minimize the risk of avalanches and soil erosion.

Due to this ability, the tree is valued as a stabilizing factor for afforestation projects at high elevations.

Swiss pine is of great value for research into hybridization to develop rust resistance in these species.