Pinus resinosa

Identifying Features

Red pine trees are often between 50 to 75 feet tall, and grows relatively straight, making it well suited for telephone poles and other timber products.

The bark is red and brown in color, appearing scale-like. The red color is consistent from the base of the tree to the top.

Needles are long, between 4 - 6 inches, and in clusters of two. When bent, the needles break cleanly in half.

Cones from this plant are 2" long, egg-shaped, and start as green before turning brown.

Habitat & Range

Red pine is commonly planted for timber products, but is found naturally occuring throughout the northeastern US, southeastern Canada, and the Great Lakes region.

Red pine prefers sandy soils, and full sun.

Featured image by James Dake.