Pines (genus Pinus) are a genus of coniferous (cone-bearing) trees containing approximately 115 species,
and found nearly everywhere in the northern hemisphere. They have been introduced to the southern hemisphere
as well.
These tables compare pines that are currently in the database. Click the scientific name to display
information on a particular species.
Pine (Pinus) · Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) · 4/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts
Up to 69' (21 m) tall, trunk up to 5' (1.5 m) in diameter. Crown may be rounded, irregular, or contorted. Bark is pale gray, appearing whitish from a distance
Typically 10-20' (3-6.1 m) tall. Crown dense, conical or rounded
79-128' (24-39 m) in height, and 24-47" (60-120 cm) in diameter, rarely up to 50% larger. Bark is yellow brown to cinnamon-colored, with large scaly plates and deep furrows. Resin scent is similar to vanilla, lemon, pineapple, violets, apple, or butterscotch.
Flowers
Pollen cones are bright red when in flower
Red-brown, inconspicuous
Leaves
Needles are in groups of five, tending to curve upward, 1-2½" (3-7 cm) long × ¹/₃₂" (1.5 mm) wide, deep yellow-green
Typically two blue-green needles per group, sometimes 1 or 3. Upwardly curved, 1¼" (3.2 cm) long. Needles have 2 or 3 sides
Needles are in groups of three, bluish-grayish-green or yellow-green in color. They are 4½-9" (12-23 cm) long.
Seeds
Cones oval to roughly cylindrical, ⅜-½" (1-1.5 cm) long, bright red
Cones are oval to round, yellowish to red-brown, up to 1¼" (3.2 cm) around
Fruit
Cones are 4½-9" (12-24 cm) in length, dark purple at first, becoming pale brown, with thin woody scales and sharp inward-pointing barbs.
Range/ Zones
USDA Zones: 3-5
USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats
Thin, rocky soils near or somewhat below the timberline
On dry mountain slopes and plateaus, at elevations of 4921-6890' (1.5-2.1 km), max 1.7 mi (2.7 km)
98-164' (30-50 m) tall, with a maximum of 246' (75 m). Trunk is 35-71" (90-180 cm) in diameter, with a maximum of 11' (3.3 m). The crown is a tall, narrow cone, becoming more rounded with age. Bark is red- to gray-brown
Up to 52' (16 m) tall. Crown is rounded or often irregular due to winds. Because of extreme age and harsh conditions, portions of each tree are usually dead. Bark is bright orange-yellow
20' (6.1 m) tall, and oval and narrow in shape.
Flowers
Red-brown, inconspicuous
Pale red-brown; inconspicuous
Inconspicuous flowers occur for a short time in April or May. Male flowers are clusters of orange-yellow catkins, while female flowers are small yellow-green conelike structures.
Leaves
Needles occur in groups of five, each 1¾-4" (5-10 cm) × ~¹/₃₂" (1-1.5 mm). They are straight, pliable, and blue-green in color
Usually needles are in groups of 5 (sometimes 3 or 4), curving upward, deep yellow green, and unusually short ½-1¼" (1.5-3.5 cm) × ¹/₃₂" (1 mm)
Needles are in clusters of two, 4" (10 cm) long, stiffer and denser than those of red pines.
Seeds
Immature cones are up to 12" (30 cm) long × 1¼" (3.2 cm) around, tightly packed and almost smooth, purplish. Mature cones expand to up to 14" (35 cm) in length—longer than any other conifer
Cones are 2-3½" (6-9.5 cm) long, purple when young, becoming red-brown. Each seed has a sharp thin thorn
Fruit
Cones are up to 3" (7.6 cm) long, and pale brown or yellow brown in color.
Range/ Zones
USDA Zones: 5-10
USDA Zones: 5-10
USDA Zones: 4
Habitats
Mixed conifer forests; over 80% is in California
Mountainous regions, at and somewhat below the tree line, elevations of 1.1-2.1 mi (1.7-3.4 km)
60-130' (18-39 m) tall, with a max of 260' (79 m). Trunk 31-47" (80-120 cm) in diameter (max 8' (2.5 m)). Twigs are orange-brown, rough, and springy. Resin scent is odorless or similar to turpentine.
Trees are often relatively small and oddly shaped, but can reach 80' (24 m). Bark is dark and scaly when the plant is young, becoming scaly, peelable plates that are light brown or red brown. Tufts of needles can occur on the trunk
Typically 50-80' (15-24 m) high; up to 120' (36 m). Bark on younger trees is smooth and gray; on older trees it takes the form of gray or reddish rounded scales
Flowers
Red-brown, resinous
Red to yellow, in clusters at twig tips
Males flowers yellow, female flowers light green
Leaves
Needles occur in groups of 2-5, with three most common. Each needle is 2½-10" (7-25 cm) × ¹/₃₂" (1.5 mm), deep yellow-green, slightly twisted
Needles are 2½-5" (6.3-12 cm) long, in groups of 3, yellow-green or green, twisted
Needles are 3-5" (7.6-12 cm) long, in groups of 5. Blue-green needles are thinner (less than ¹/₃₂" (1 mm)) than those of other species of pines
Seeds
Cones are about 4½" (11 cm) long, oval to cylindrical when immature, maturing to be more egg-shaped
Cones are egg-shaped, 2-4" (5-10 cm) long, light brown or grayish in color. Each seed in the cone has a sharp thorny protuberance
Cones are 5-10" (12-25 cm) long, oval or cylidrical in shape, up to 1½" (3.8 cm) wide
Range/ Zones
USDA Zones: 5-10
USDA Zones: 4-7
USDA Zones: 3-7
Habitats
Mostly mountainous regions, either alone or mixed with other pines
Dry acidic sandly uplands to swampy lowlands; tolerates very poor soils
Species not yet identified 
