Shortleaf Pine
Pinus echinata · Coniferous, Evergreen, Softwood, Native
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Timber Tree, Conifer
Variety / Cultivar
None (Wild Species Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9
About This Tree
A large, straight-trunked coniferous tree with a rounded to oval crown at maturity. It is known for its long lifespan and ability to resprout from the base after fire during its sapling stage.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are predominantly in clusters of two or three, 3 to 5 inches long, slender, flexible, and dark yellow-green.
Bark Characteristics
Thick, reddish-brown to nearly black bark that is broken into large, irregular, flat-topped plates. On older trees, the plates show small, shallow resin pits or 'volcanoes'.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States, from southern New York to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma.
Growing Season
Evergreen growth cycle; pollination occurs in spring (March to April), seeds mature over two years, and it remains active year-round in milder climates.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Highly drought-tolerant once established; prefers well-drained, acidic, loamy or sandy soils.
Mature Size
70 to 100 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 35 feet; growth rate is moderate; can live over 200 years.
Special Characteristics
Highest resistance to ice damage among southern pines; excellent timber value for construction and pulpwood; highly fire-adapted through seedling sprouting.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and nesting sites for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker; seeds are a food source for squirrels, wild turkeys, and various songbirds.