Pinus

( PYE - nuss )

At-A-Glance Information

Known commonly as Pine, this genus includes many great landscaping evergreens, from tall trees to shrubs and groundcovers. All species produce cones and produce long, thin needles in groups of two, three, or five. Bark tends to be red, brown, or grey, and is commonly thicker and more scaly towards the base of the tree and thinner and papery towards the top. In landscapes, full sized Pine trees will not reach the full height of the species. Pines make great shade trees, background plantings, and homes for wildlife. Take care when planting these evergreens in the landscape, as some species are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Pinus Species and Varietals

The genus Pinus is a member of the plant family Pinaceae and includes 187 species. The best growing zones for Pinus trees vary depending on the species grown. For more information, see the species descriptions below: To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Pinus arizonica (Arizona Pine)
This medium-sized pine is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It reaches between 82 and 115 feet tall when mature. These trees are a great source of construction timber, and are heavily harvested for firewood.

Pinus attenuata (Pinus tuberculata) (Knobcone Pine)
These mild-climate Pines can grow in poor soils, and are native to the mountains of southern Oregon down to Baja California. The native population of these trees is mostly concentrated at the Oregon-California border. Crowns are conical and trunks are straight. Bark is grey to reddish-brown and twigs are red-brown. These trees reach between 26 and 79 feet tall when mature, and are also seen as large shrubs in particularly poor sites. Needles are yellow-green and produced in sets of three.

Pinus banksiana (Grey Pine, Scrub Pine)
This North American Pine species is native to Canada and the north-central to northeastern United States. These trees can reach between 30 and 72 feet tall when mature, though some are shrub-sized if they are growing in relatively poor conditions. Leaves are green and produced in pairs. Seed cones vary in shape.

Pinus brutia (Turkish Pine, Calabrian Pine, East Mediterranean Pine, Afghan Pine, Brutia Pine)
This species is native to the eastern Mediterranean and trees reach between 66 and 115 feet tall. Young bark is thin and reddish-orange, and older bark is fissured to flaky and grey-brown to orange. The species was first described by Michele Tenore in 1811, and is now a popularly grown ornamental tree, extensively planted in parks and other public areas in hot, dry areas of the United States.

Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine)
This species is endemic to the outer Canary Islands and reach between 98 and 131 feet tall when mature (though some individual trees have been seen at 200 feet). These trees produce epicormic blue-green shoots towards their base. This is a very fire-resistant species, and has aromatic wood. Used as a street and landscape tree in warmer climates such as California.

Pinus caribaea (Caribbean Pine)
This species of Pine is native to Central America and the northern West Indies. There are three subspecies, two of which are currently considered endangered.

Pinus cembroides (Pinyon Pine, Mexican Pinyon, Mexican Nut Pine, Mexican Stone Pine)
This species is native to Mexico and Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico in the United States. The trees grow to be up to 66 feet tall with dark brown, deeply fissured bark. Foliage is green, and emerge in groups of two or three.

Pinus contorta (Lodgepole Pine, Shore Pine, Twisted Pine, Contorta Pine)
This tree is common in western North America, where it grows in dry montane forests near shorelines. These plants can grow as either shrubs (3-10 feet tall) or trees (130 to 160 feet tall). Bark is greyish-brown, thick and somewhat corky. Foliage is yellow-green.

Pinus coulteri (Big-Cone Pine, Coulter Pine)
This drought-tolerant species, native to Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, is named for Irish botanist and physician Thomas Coulter. These trees produce some of the heaviest, larget cones of any Pine tree (weighing up to 11 pounds each). Although these trees are limited in the wild, they are a popularly-grown ornamental tree in many areas of the world. They can reach between 33 and 79 feet tall, and produces grey-green needles in sets of three.

Pinus densata (Sikang Pine)
This species is likely a hybrid between Pinus yunnanensis and Pinus tabuliformis, and reaches about 100 feet tall when mature. Cones are shiny and dark brown, maturing after the second year. Sikang Pine is endemic to China.

Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine. Japanese Pine, Korean Red Pine, Chi Song)
These Pines are native to East Asia and Siberia, and reach between 65 and 130 feet tall when mature (with a crown of about 100 feet). Needles are dark green, and has reddish-brown heartwood. These trees are great for mountainous areas or sandy land, and have strong wind resistance.

Pinus douglasiana (Douglas Pine)
This species is endemic to Mexico, and reaches up to 150 feet tall. Trunk is typically straight, and has brownish-grey bark. Needles are green.

Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine, Rosemary Pine, Yellow Pine, Heart Pine, Old Field Pine, Spruce Pine)
This species is variable in form, from crooked to straight-trunked, commonly with an irregular crown. Trees reach between 100 and 120 feet tall when mature. Needles are green and bark contains resin pockets, differentiating it from all other Pines in its native range.

Pinus elliottii (Slash Pine, Swamp Pine, Yellow Slash Pine, Southern Florida Pine)
Named for the 'slashes' (swampy ground overgrown with trees and shrubs) habitat in which the species grows, these pines have unusually strong wood, and produce green needles. These trees are fast-growing, reaching between 60 and 100 feet tall

Pinus glabra (Spruce Pine, Cedar Pine, Walter's Pine)
This species of Pine tree is native to the coastal plains of the southern United States, from South Carolina down through Florida and west to southern Louisiana. These trees reach between 65 and 130 feet tall and produce green needles in sets of two. These trees are commonly found growing in moist woodland habitats or mixed hardwood forest. It has a better shade tolerance than many other pines.

Pinus georginae (Pino Chino)
This species was first described by Perez de la Rosa in 2009, named for his associate Georgina Vargas Amado. These trees reach between 50 and 65 feet tall when mature, and have pale to dark grey bark.

Pinus greggii (Gregg's Pine, Pino Garabato)
This species is native to Northern Mexico,and forms a tree with an open, loose crown and long, slender branches. Foliage is green to yellow-green, and needles are produced in bundles of three. Trees reach between 50 and 65 feet tall and have greyish-brown bark.

Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine, Jerusalem Pine)
These small to medium-sized pines are native to the Mediterranean region. They reach between 50 ad 80 feet tall on average. and have orange-red bark. The resin from these trees is used to flavor the Greek wine retsina, and the pine nuts are used to make a Tunisian pudding called Asidet Zgougou. Aleppo Pine trees are successful bonsai subjects. Great as an ornamental tree in hot, dry areas, valued for its heat and drought tolerances as well as its relatively quick growth rate.

Pinus hartwegii (Hartweg's Pine, Mexican Mountain Pine, Pino de las Alturas)
These trees are native to mountainous regions in Mexico and Central America. The species is named for German botanist Karl Theodor Hartweg. These trees reach between 66 and 98 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown. Bark is thick, dark greyish-brown and fissured. Cones are black or very dark purple.

Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian Pine, Heldreich's Pine)
This species reaches between 82 and 115 feet tall with a 6.5 foot trunk diameter. Needles form in bundles of two, and are green to yellow-green. Cones reach 3.5 inches long and are brown when ripe, about 16-18 months after pollination. These trees are popular ornamentals for parks and large gardens, and have neat, conical crowns. They are hardy down to -49 degrees Fahrenheit, and can adapt to extreme environmental conditions. Bosnian Pine also has a good pest resistance.

Pinus henryii (Henry's Pine)
These trees reach up to 100 feet tall when mature, and typically have a single, straight trunk but can be seen multi-trunked. Mature gray-brown bark is fissured and broken into large irregular plates. Twigs are thick have reddish-brown new shoots.

Pinus hwangshanensis (Huangshan Pine)
This species is named for the Huangshan Mountains, where it grows extensively on steep, rocky crags at high altitudes. Bark is thick, greyish, and scaly plated. Leaves are needle-like and dark green. These trees commonly take beautifully irregular shapes, and are portrayed in many traditional Chinese paintings.

Pinus jeffreyi (Jeffrey's Pine, Jeffrey Pine, Yellow Pine, Black Pine)
These trees are native to California, Nevada, Oregon, and Baja California, and are named for their botanist documenter John Jeffrey. Trees grow to be between 82 and 131 feet tall, though they can reach much taller (175 feet). Cones are dark purple when they emerge, and mature to pale brown.

Pinus kesiya (Khasi Pine, Benguet Pine, Three-Needled Pine)
This species is native to Asia, but is also an important species elsewhere in the world, like Africa and South America. They reach between 98 and 115 feet tall when mature, and have dark brown bark and dark green needles. Timber from these trees is soft and light.

Pinus latteri (Tenasserim Pine)
Native to mainland Southeast Asia, this species reaches between 82 and 148 feet tall when mature. Bark is orange-red bark and produces pairs of needles that are green to yellow-green. The tree is named for the Tenasserim Hills between Myanmar and Thailand.

Pinus leiophylla (Chihuahua Pine, Smooth-Leaf Pine, Yellow Pine, Tlacocote, Ocote Chino)
These trees grow primarily in Mexico, with small scattered populations in the Southwestern United States. Trees typically reach between 66 and 98 feet tall, and produce green to yellow-green needles in bundles of three to five. Cones take about three years to mature. Bark is greyish-brown and fissured.

Pinus luchuensis (Luchu Pine, Okinawa Pine)
Endemic to the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, this species usually grows in small stands near windy ocean shores. They are commonly grown as ornamental trees, but the species is no longer commercially viable (they were widely harvested during and after the second world war).

Pinus lumholtzii (Lumholtz's Pine, Pino Triste, Sad Pine)
This species of Pine tree is endemic to northwestern Mexico, and is named after Norwegian explorer Carl Sofus Lumholz. These trees reach between 50 and 65 feet tall at maturity, and are considered endangered in their native range due to habitat loss.

Pinus massoniana (Masson's Pine, Chinese Red Pine, Horsetail Pine)
This species is native to Taiwan, China, and northern Vietnam, and has thick, grey-brown scaly bark. Trees commonly reach between 82 and 148 feet tall. In the tree's native range, leaves are used to add a smoke flavor to black teas.

Pinus merkusii (Merkus Pine, Sumatran Pine)
This species of Pine is the only one that occurs naturally south of the equator, and is native to the Malesia region in southeast Asia. These trees can reach between 82 and 148 feet tall, and have reddish orange bark. Needles are green to yellow-green and cones are narrow and glossy reddish-brown.

Pinus muricata (Bishop Pine, Prickle Cone Pine, Obispo Pine, Sant Cruz Pine, Dwarf Marine Pine)
These trees are mainly native to California, with scattered populations in Baja, Mexico. They prefer to grow on or near coastlines, and grow well in disturbed soils in unvegetated areas. The common name Bishop Pine refers to the tree being first identified near the Mission of San Louis Obispo.

Pinus occidentalis (Pinus cubensis) (Hispaniolan Pine, Hispaniola Pine, Pino Criollo)
These trees are endemic to the island of Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic and Haiti). These trees reach between 98 and 130 feet tall at maturity, and produce green needles. Bark is greyish-brown.

Pinus oocarpa (Ocote, Ocote Chino, Pino Amarillo, Egg-Cone Pine, Mexican Yellow Pine, Hazelnut Pine)
This species is native to Mexico and Central America, and can reach up to 120 feet tall when mature. Needles are green, and bark is rough, scaly and brownish grey.

Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine)
This species is native to the southeastern United States. It is considered to be one of the species of Pine that is designated as the state tree of both North Carolina and Alabama. Trees typically reach between 100 and 115 feet tall when mature, and produce needle-like green foliage in bundles of two to four. The specific epithet for this species refers to the tree's preferred marsh habitat.

Pinus patula (Patula Pine, Spreading-Leaved Pine, Mexican Weeping Pine, Pino Patula, Pino Lloron)
Native to the Mexican highlands, these trees reach about 98 feet tall and have pale pink to salmon-colored wood that smells strongly of Anise when freshly cut. There are two varieties of this species.

Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine, Cluster Pine)
This pine is native to the southern Atlantic Europe region and areas in the western Mediterranean. These are fast-growing members of the genus, and reach between 66 and 115 feet tall when mature. Bark is orange-red and needles are blue-green to yellow green, forming in pairs. Cones emerge green and ripen to glossy brown-red after two years. These trees are considered invasive in some areas of Africa, and have naturalized in Northern California.

Pinus pinea (Stone Pine, Italian Stone Pine, Mediterranean Stone Pine, Umbrella Pine, Parasol Pine)
These trees are native to the Mediterranean, and produce edible pine nuts that have been harvested for since prehistoric times. These trees are also popular ornamental trees, used commonly in public parks and large landscapes. Trees typically reach between 40 and 65 feet tall, rarely exceeding 80 feet. Crown is broad and flat at maturity, and bark is deeply fissured and reddish brown.

Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, Western Yellow Pine, Filipinus Pine)
This species is the most widely distributed Pine in North America, and has been introduced in other areas of the world such as New Zealand and Europe. Ponderosa Pine reaches between 30 and 130 feet tall depending on growing conditions, and has reddish-brown bark. Needles are green and emerge in groups of two or three.

Pinus psuedostrobus (Smooth-Bark Mexican Pine, Chamite, Pacingo)
These trees are found amongst mountain forests in Mexico and Central America, and have brown to reddish-brown bark. This species reaches between 26 and 82 feet tall. Foliage is green.

Pinus pungens (Table Mountain Pine, Hickory Pine, Prickly Pine, Mountain Pine, Bur Pine)
This species is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, and reaches between 20 and 40 feet tall when mature. Foliage is yellow-green to green, and needles are fairly stout. Cones are pale pink to yellow-buff in color.

Pinus radiata (Pinus insignis) (Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine, Radiata Pine)
This species is native to the Central Coast of California down through Mexico, and forms a fast-growing tree that has many uses commercially and ornamentally. These trees are considered to be critically imperiled in their native range due to disease, pests and climate change. Reaching between 50-100 feet tall when mature, Monterey Pine produces bright green foliage with needles in groups of three.

Pinus resinosa (Red Pine, Norway Pine)
Native to eastern North America, this species has a tall, straight growth habit and reaches between 66 and 115 feet tall when mature. Bark is thick and gray-brown at the base of the tree, and bright orange-red and flaky towards the apex. This species is self-pruning, and older trees commonly have long lengths of bare trunks below the canopy.

Pinus rigida (Pitch Pine)
These small to medium-sized Pines are native to eastern areas of North America, and take an irregular form. They reach between 20 and 98 feet tall when mature, and commonly have twisting branches. Trunks are usually relatively straight with a slight curve and bark is thick and irregular-plated. These trees grow rapidly when young.

Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine, Longleaf Indian Pine)
This species of Pine is native to the Himalayas and is named for Scottish surgeon and botanist William Roxburgh. These large evergreens reach between 98 and 165 feet tall at maturity. with dark reddish-brown bark and yellow-green needles. These trees are valued for their drought tolerance and ability to withstand heat, and are commonly used in parks and gardens in hot, dry areas.

Pinus sabiniana (Pinus sabineana) (Towani Pine, Foothill Pine, Gray Pine, Bull Pine, Hatcho, Tujhalo, Saak, Xirren)
These trees typically reach between 36 and 45 feet tall when mature, and have pale grey-green foliage. The seed cones produced by this species are large and heavy, weighing up to 1.5 pounds. This species is native to California, where it grows in foothills and coastal mountain ranges around the Central Valley.

Pinus serotina (Pond Pine, Black Bark Pine, Bay Pine, Marsh Pine, Pocosin Pine)
These trees grow along the southeastern United States and often has an irregular or crooked growth pattern. Bark is brownish red and foliage is green. These trees are found commonly in poorly drained sites, typically near swamps, ponds, bays, marshes, and wetlands.

Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine, Scotch Pine, Baltic Pine, European Red Pine)
This species is native to Eurasia, and has short blue-green leaves and reddish-orange bark. Trees commonly reach about 115 feet tall (exceptionally to 150 feet). New shoots are light brown, and cones are gray-green to yellow-brown when mature. Pollen cones are yellow, occasionally pink. Many varieties of this species are commonly grown in landscapes. These were popular Christmas trees of the 1950's through the 1980's. Popular garden cultivars are listed and described below:

'Aurea' (Golden Scotch Pine)
These typically reach between 9 and 12 feet tall and have green summer foliage that turns bright golden-yellow in wintertime.

'Beuvronensis'
Reaching 10 feet tall and wide, these are great evergreen specimen and background shrubs, putting on 6-8 inches of growth per year.

'Frensham'
This dwarf Scots Pine forms a mound of pale grey-green foliage, and eventually forms a low 5-foot tall pyramid.

'Gold Coin'
These trees form an open to rounded irregular crown and reach between 6 and 20 feet tall. Foliage is bright golden in winter and yellow to soft-green in summer.

Pinus tabuliformis (Chinese Red Pine, Manchurian Red Pine, Southern Chinese Pine)
This species of evergreen trees reach 66 and 98 feet tall and have a relatively fast growth rate when young, which slows down with age. Bark is grey-brown and cones emerge green and ripen to brown. The specific epithet, meaning 'table-shaped', refers to the trees' flat-topped crowns. Cultivation is uncommon outside of China, though it is kept in some botanical gardens.

Pinus taeda (Loblolly Pine, Southern Yellow Pine)
These trees can reach between 98 and 115 feet tall when mature, and are considered to be some of the tallest and fastest growing in the genus. Needles are green to yellow-green and bark is reddish-brown and deeply fissured. Branches are reddish-brown to dark yellow-brown.

Pinus taiwanensis (Taiwan Red Pine)
This species is endemic to Taiwan, and forms a straight-trunked tree to 115 feet tall. It often grows in pure stands in mountain ranges. Needles form in bundles of two, and cones reach up to 3 inches long.

Pinus thunbergii (Black Pine, Japanese Black Pine, Japanese Pine, Gomsol, Heisong, Kuromatsu)
This species is native to coastal Japan and South Korea, and can reach up to 140 feet tall, but are more commonly seen between 20 and 80 feet. Needles form in twos and are dark green. Bark is gray on young trees and small branches, turning almost black at maturity. These trees are tolerant of both pollution and salt, and is a popular horticultural tree, especially in coastal areas.

Pinus torreyana (Torrey Pine)
This rare species of Pine tree is endemic to California and is critically endangered. it is named for American botanist John Torrey and typically reaches between 26 and 56 feet tall with a broad, open-crowned shape. They are commonly grown as ornamental plants in southern California.

Pinus tropicalis (Tropical Pine, Pino Blanco, Pino Hembra)
These trees are endemic to the western highland areas of Cuba and typically reach about 100 feet tall at maturity. Foliage is green to deep green and bark is reddish-brown. Needles form in groups of two. These trees are tolerant to wildfire, and seeds germinate better in high heat conditions.

Pinus virginiana (Virginia Pine, Scrub Pine, Jersey Pine, Possum Pine)
This species forms a medium-sized tree to between 20 and 60 feet tall, and prefers well-draining loam or clay soils. The typical life span of this species is between 65 and 90 years. Short needles are yellow-green and form in pairs. These trees are native to the eastern United States.

Pinus yunnanensis (Yunnan Pine)
This species is found in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. Trees reach about 100 feet tall when mature, and produce green to dark green needles in groups of two or three.

Caring for and pruning Pinus Trees

Pine trees are considered to be easy to care for, and need to be planted in full sun. They will struggle to grow well if planted in shade, and ideally should be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun exposure each day. Ensure that soil is well-draining and moderately fertile. If local soils are poor or do not have good drainage, make sure to amend the planting site with plenty of organic material and/or sand before planting. They prefer acidic soil with a pH of between 4.0 and 7.0, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to regulate soil temperatures. Water newly planted Pine trees every few days for the first month they are in the ground. Then, reduce waterings to once a week or more frequently during periods of drought. Providing irrigation to at least cover lost precipitation during periods of extended drought can go a long way in keeping these trees pest and disease free.

Pine trees are best trimmed between November and October to avoid attracting bark, boring, and engraving beetles. They don't need much in the way of pruning, simply remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches during pruning. They do not require frequent fertilizing; they will get by on applications of organic compost yearly in springtime. If they seem to be struggling or needles are discolored, they may benefit from a feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Do not over-fertilize these trees, as doing so will harm their health and open them up to pest and disease issues.

Propagation

Pinus trees can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Pine tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Pinus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Pinus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. Seeds are contained inside of the female cones produced by trees in summer or fall. They are the larger cones on the trees (smaller cones are male, and do not contain seeds). Cones will fall from their attachments when mature, and can be picked off of the ground. Remove seeds from cones and then place them in a bowl with lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Viable seeds will sink, and floaters can be discarded.
Pine seeds need to be cold-stratified to increase odds of germination. Place seeds in a sealable container or plastic bag filled with moistened sand or peat moss and place the container in the refrigerator for between 60 and 90 days. Then, remove them and lay them out to work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.