Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)


Michael's Opinion

This tree is a valuable plant for timber and is also used in erosion control. Needles are bluish-green colour.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
Speciesechinata
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
ReferencesFox Hollow Farms, Langton, Ontario
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone 6-9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone 6-8b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-20 to -3
Temperature (°F)-10 to 25
Height25 - 30 m
Spread15 - 25 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

ID CharacteristicBark has small round holes which often appear damp with resin; these holes are called pitch pockets.
ShapeThis tree is tall and broad. The branches are slightly pendulous. Crown is an open conical shape.
LandscapeImportant timber species. This tree thrives in environments where the soil has been disturbed. Often planted to help control erosion at old mine sites.
PropagationSeed requires no pre-treatment. Cuttings are easily propagated as well, but root best when taken from young trees.
CultivationThis tree forms a deep tap root and therefore is somewhat difficult to transplant. Extremely adaptable to different climates and commonly found on dry, upland soils.
PestsSuffers from Nantucket pine-tip moth, Southern pine beetle and little leaf disease.
HabitatGrows in the Southern United States. Mostly grows on upland soils and neglected old fields.
Bark/Stem DescriptionBark is scaly and dark on young trees, eventually becoming more textured with age. Trunk colour is reddish brown and broken into irregular flat plates that are 20 - 40 cm in length and 10-15 cm wide.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe buds are oblong-ovoid in shape, .5 cm long, brown in colour, slightly resinous, and the scales are closely oppressed.
Leaf DescriptionNeedles are in fascicles of 2, but also in 3's on the same tree. 12 cm in length, dark bluish green in colour, slender, finely toothed and flexible. Persistent in the 2nd season through the 4th.
Flower DescriptionFlowers are monoecious. Males flowers are cylindrical, red to yellow in clumps at the ends of the twigs. Female flowers are light green to red. Flowers are 1 cm by 1cm. Flowers in the spring of the second growing season.
Fruit DescriptionFruit is oblong to conical, 3-8 cm in length, 3-5 cm wide. Usually persistent for several years. Dorsal side of the fruit is armed with a small, sharp prickle.
Colour DescriptionNeedles are bright blue green in early spring and change slightly to a duller colour in the later months of the season. The bark is dark brown and turns reddish brown with maturity.
Texture DescriptionThe bark is medium to coarse textured. Irregular flat plates are raised and thickly textured.

Photographs