Habitat

• native to the Northeastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Canada and west into parts of Michigan
• cold hardy to zone 2

Habit and Form

• evergreen tall tree
• general oval shape
• multiple lateral branches, which start relatively low to the ground
• 50' to 70' tall, with varying spreads; can reach in excess of a 100' tall
• medium texture
• medium growth rate

Summer Foliage

• brittle and sharp-pointed needles
• 2 needles per fasicle
• margins serrate
• needles roughly 5" long
• medium green color

Autumn Foliage

• no fall color (remains green)
• needles persist 4 years

Flowers

• monoecious
• no ornamental value

Fruit

• light brown cone
• ovoid in shape, 2" long
• held alone or in pairs

Bark

• a combination of orange-red, brown, and slivery gray
• rough scaly bark; scales and plates relatively thin
• new stem are thick with a yellowish tint

Culture

• prefers a dry, loose, sandy soil with a low pH
• cold tolerant, but dislikes heat
• full sun

Landscape Uses

• attractive ornamental bark
• can be used as an accent tree
• not widely used
• best used in colder, northern states

Liabilities

• not tolerant of wind or salt
• red pine scale

ID Features

• needles in pairs, twisted and serrated, that have a tufted appearance
• armor-plated bark which peels to reveal a reddish color
• needles snap very easily when bent

Propagation

• seeds germinate very easily, no dormancy period required

Cultivars/Varieties

'Don Smith' - This is a fine selection of this native species, featuring long green needles, red-brown stems and abundant cones which are colored purple when young. As this plant is hardy to USDA zone 2, it is a good handsome conifer for gardens in cold zones. The habit is dwarf and rounded.

'Globosa' and 'Morel' - These are among the most common dwarf mutations, featuring dense growth and compact mounded forms.