Pinus resinosa Aiton
Red pine, Norway pine, Canadian pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
USDA Symbol: PIRE
A common, large tree with small cones and broad, irregular or rounded crown of spreading branches, 1 row added a year. Red pine, a symmetrically oval, canopy tree, usually grows 50-75 ft. but can reach 125 ft. or more. The long, straight trunk is covered with reddish-brown, scaly bark. Tufted, dark-green needles, occurring in clusters of two, are 2-5 in. long.
The misleading alternate name Norway Pine for this New World species may be traced to confusion with Norway Spruce by early English explorers. Another explanation is that the name comes from the trees occurrence near Norway, Maine, founded in 1797. Because the name was in usage before this time, the former explanation is more likely. Red Pine is an ornamental and shade tree; the wood is used for general construction, planing-mill products, millwork, and pulpwood.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Size Class: 72-100 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Red , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
DistributionUSA: CT , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.S. & c. Que. to e. Man., s. to n. NJ, PA & n.e. IA
Native Habitat: Sandy sites
Growing ConditionsWater Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly, acid soils.
BenefitUse Wildlife: Attracts songbirds, upland game birds, mammals.
Use Other: Red pine is an important timber and pulp tee. The moderately hard wood readily absorbs preservatives, making it useful for structural beams, bridges, piles and railway ties. Kershaw
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Northern pine sphinx |
Larval HostLearn more at BAMONA
PropagationDescription: Seeds have no dormancy and will germinate immediately upon sowing.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Pretreatment is usually not necessary, but germination of pine seeds exhibiting dormancy can be hastened by cold stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
From the National Suppliers DirectoryAccording to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
ArcheWild Native Nurseries - Quakertown, PA
BibliographyBibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Pinus resinosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pinus resinosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus resinosa
MetadataRecord Modified: 2013-06-27
Research By: TWC Staff