Plant Family: Pinaceae
Growth Form: Large tree with a straight trunk that may lack branches for some height.
Leaves: The brittle needles are in bundles of 2 and up to 15 cm long; they snap cleanly across when bent.
Bark: Gray to noticeably reddish brown with flattened plates.
Cones: Short, to 5 cm long, on a short stalk, lacking prickles at the tips of the scales.
Habitat: Dry sandy or rocky soils, often in large pure stands.
Range: Throughout New England, ranging south to West Virginia and west to the Great Lakes.
Similar Species: Scotch Pine has shorter needles and orange upper trunk and branches.
Comments: Red Pine is a fire-dependent species – seedling survival is low on soils with competing vegetation, whereas survival is high after a burn. Additionally, the thick bark protects mature trees from low intensity surface fires. Red Pine is favored by the lumber industry because of its relatively fast growth rate and tall straight trunk; it is harvested for timber and pulpwood and is used in reforestation efforts. Red Pine is the state tree of Minnesota.
