Virginia Pine
Pinus virginiana · Coniferous, Evergreen, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Evergreen Conifer, Timber-type, Wildlife habitat
Variety / Cultivar
None (wild type species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 8.
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized evergreen conifer often characterized by a scraggly, irregular crown and spreading branches. It is a pioneer species that frequently populates poor or depleted soils.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are in bundles of two, approximately 1.5 to 3 inches long, yellowish-green, and twisted/twisted-divergent in appearance.
Bark Characteristics
Thin and smooth when young, becoming scaly and plate-like with reddish-brown or dark brownish-gray tones as it matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern North America, particularly the Appalachian region and Southeastern United States.
Growing Season
Evergreen foliage; pollination occurs in spring (March to May); cones mature through two seasons, opening in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun; extremely drought tolerant once established; prefers well-drained, acidic clay or loamy soils.
Mature Size
Typically 30 to 60 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 30 feet; moderate growth rate in early life; lifespan of 60 to 90 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of poor, eroded soils; often used for reforestation and land reclamation; commonly used as a Christmas tree in the South.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides significant cover and nesting sites for birds; seeds are a food source for squirrels, grosbeaks, and crossbills; serves as a larval host for several moth species.