Pines are a large genus of conifers native to North and Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and northern Africa. There are numerous species native to the SE USA. Pines are members of the pine family (Pinaceae). Pines need sunny positions with room to grow. Some species tolerate seasonal flooding. Most are highly drought-tolerant once established. Their size varies greatly depending on the species. Pines are vital wildlife resources. Many animals live in, on and among pines and depend on them for food. Pines also have a tremendous economic importance for lumber and naval stores. The shed needles, drops of resin, and cones can be messy and a nuisance. Don't plant pines next to places where cars are parked; the resin damages car finishes. Native species are excellent for the native garden, woodland garden, children's garden and rain garden. Other species work well in Asian gardens, rock gardens and formal gardens. Pines can be used as accents, specimens or shade trees (they make high, dappled shade in which other, partial shade-loving plants can thrive). They can be used singly or in small groups. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See multiple insect problems to the left. Potential diseases are pine wilt, Ddplodia tip blight and fusiform rust.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Maintenance
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Filiform
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves of pines are needle-like. They are borne in fascicles of 1 to 5 needles on short shoots. They are 3 to 8 inches in length, depending on the species.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit detail
These are conifers and bear woody cones.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark ranges in color from light gray to dark brown. Most have thick and fissured bark but a few have thinner and flaky bark.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Bats; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area
Design feature
Accent; Screen/Privacy; Shade Tree; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#conifer #tree #cone #NC native #needled evergreen #needles #wildlife friendly #accent #long lived #naturalized area #full sun #screen
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Pine Tortoise Scale; White Pine Aphid; Redheaded Pine Sawfly; Pine Bark Beetles; Southern Pine Beetle; Pine Spittlebug; Powdery Pine Needle Aphid; Pine Colaspis; Pine Bark Adelgid; Sculptured Pine Borer; Pine Needle Gall Midge; Pine Engraver Beetles; Pine Needle Scale