Southern Pine Identification

This helpful identification guide was compiled by Morgan Holen, super intern.

Primary source of information: www.state.sc.us/forest/tidneed.htm#lob 
Primary source of images: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/meanings.htm

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Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) a.k.a. Old field pine (because it regenerates readily in openings)

• Height: 80 - 100 feet 
• Diameter: 2 - 3 feet 
• Leaves: In 3-needle clusters; slender, firm, pale green, 5 - 9 inches in length 
• Cones: 2 - 6 inches in length, oblong shaped; reddish-brown with sharp spines at scale tips 
• Bark: Thick, bright reddish-brown, with shallow fissures 
• Shape: Straight trunk; rounded crown 
• Habitat: Adaptable to a variety of sites; abundant in the southeast; often found on moist sites and in large openings 
• Use: Lumber, plywood, pulpwood; turkeys, squirrels, and some birds eat loblolly seeds

Source: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/ptaeda.htm

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Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Named for its long needles

• Height: 80 - 120 feet 
• Diameter: 2 - 2.5 feet 
• Leaves: In 3-needle clusters (occasionally in 5-needle clusters); long, lustrous, bright green, 8 - 18 inches in length; needle clusters are crowded into dense tufts at the end of branches 
• Cones: 6 - 10 inches in length, sharp spine at scale tips; largest cone of all southern pine tree species 
• Bark: Thick, orange-brown or reddish-brown, platy with paper-like scales 
• Shape: Straight trunk; irregular crown; heavy, gnarly branches 
• Habitat: Southeast, midlands and coastal plain; fire-adapted species; seedlings go through a "grass" stage; does well in very sandy soils 
• Use: Lumber, poles, pilings, plywood, turpentine, resin; a source of food for turkeys, squirrels, and hogs; makes excellent Red-Cockaded Woodpecker habitat

Source: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/ppalustris.htm

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Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) a.k.a. Marsh Pine, Pocosin Pine

• Height: 40 - 70 feet 
• Leaves: In 3-needle clusters; slender, 3 - 8 inches in length 
• Cones: Egg-shaped; stay closed for many years 
• Habitat: Prefers moist swamps, shallow bays, riparian areas; can regenerate by sprouting from roots of mature pond pines, as well as seedlings, following severe disturbances

Source: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/pserotina.htm

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Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)

• Height: 70 - 100 feet 
• Diameter: 2 - 3 feet 
• Leaves: In 2- or 3-needle clusters; slender, flexible, dark green, 2 - 5 inches in length 
• Cones: 1.5 - 2.5 inches in length, egg-shaped, with a short stalk; short spine at scale tips 
• Bark: Thin, reddish, platy; pitch pockets 
• Shape: Loose pyramidal crown; tall, tapering trunk on good sites 
• Habitat: Southeastern United States; the Piedmont and Midlands; rocky uplands 
• Use: Lumber, plywood, veneer, pulpwood; turkeys, squirrels, and some birds eat shortleaf pine seeds

Source: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/pechinata.htm

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Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) a.k.a. Yellow Slash Pine, Swamp Pine 

• Height: 60 - 100 feet 
• Diameter: 2 - 3 feet 
• Leaves: In 2- or 3-needle clusters; lustrous, dark green, 8 - 12 inches in length 
• Cones: 3 - 6 inches in length, ovoid shaped, pendant; thin, flexible scales with small spines at tips 
• Bark: Rough, gray to reddish-brown 
• Shape: Straight, tapering trunk; rounded crown 
• Habitat: Southeastern United States; low areas like swamps; sandy soils that are poorly drained; also in old fields and uplands Use: Lumber, ship building, sealing, turpentine; turkeys, squirrels, and some birds eat slash pine seeds

Source: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/pelliottii.htm

 

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