The Shortleaf pine is an important tree to the commercial forest lumber industry. Additionally, it can be utilized as a nice landscape specimen. The young tree has a straight, strong trunk with ascending branches, meaning the branches grow pointing upward. The habitat for Shortleaf Pines are harsh sites such as, shallow rocky slopes, soils of floodplains, and recently disturbed lands which mimic compacted urban soils. Bark: The reddish-brown bark is rough with large, oddly shaped, flat, scaly segments or plates. Foliage: Needles grow in fascicles of 2, sometimes 3 on the same tree. They are 1 3/4 - 4 1/2 inches long usually in a bundle of two. The needles are evergreen with a dark greenish-blue color. Flowers: Flowers are so small that only the large, yellow pollen spikes which make spores, are noticeable in the spring. These spikes later grow into seed carrying pine cones. Fruit: The cones are among the smallest, 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches long and 1 - 1 1/2 inches wide. The cones are dull-brown, egg-shaped, and usually persist for several years.
| Tree ID Number: | 433 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Pinus echinata |
| Mature Height: | 50 - 60ft |
| Canopy Spread (Diameter): | 25 - 30ft |
| Branching Shape: | Tall, broad, open conical shape crown |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Wood Strength: | Moderate hardwood |
| Cold Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
| Soil Moisture Requirements: | Dry |
| Light Requirements: | Sun |
| Common Pests: | Nantucket pine-tip moth, southern pine beetle, and littleleaf disease. |
| Comments: | Landscape tree, although inferior to Loblolly. Forms a deep tap root which makes it difficult to transplant. |
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