A stately native conifer with distinctive reddish bark and long, soft needles in bundles of two, Red Pine adds year-round structure and natural beauty to the landscape. Its tall, straight trunk and open, airy crown make it a striking feature in larger properties or restoration plantings. Red Pine is long-lived, wind-resistant, and valued for its fast growth and resilience in northern climates.
Well-adapted to Northern Michigan (Zone 5a), Red Pine thrives in well-drained sandy soils and full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established and excels in reforestation, windbreaks, and habitat restoration. Its seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while the tree offers important cover and nesting sites for wildlife.
Identification / Key Features: Red pines are recognized by their tall, straight trunks and reddish-brown bark that forms large, scaly plates. Needles grow in clusters of two, 4–6 inches long, stiff, and brittle when bent. The cones are oval, about 2 inches long, and lack prickles.
Mature Height / Size: 50–80 feet.
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast.
Light / Soil / Site Preferences: Prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. Drought-tolerant and commonly found on upland sites.
Wildlife Value / Ecological Role: Seeds are eaten by small mammals and birds such as red squirrels and crossbills. The trees provide excellent nesting habitat for raptors.
Uses / Economic / Cultural: Important timber species in Michigan, valued for utility poles, cabin logs, and construction lumber. Often used for reforestation and windbreaks.
Seedlings will be 45ml plugs
A stately native conifer with distinctive reddish bark and long, soft needles in bundles of two, Red Pine adds year-round structure and natural beauty to the landscape. Its tall, straight trunk and open, airy crown make it a striking feature in larger properties or restoration plantings. Red Pine is long-lived, wind-resistant, and valued for its fast growth and resilience in northern climates.
Well-adapted to Northern Michigan (Zone 5a), Red Pine thrives in well-drained sandy soils and full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established and excels in reforestation, windbreaks, and habitat restoration. Its seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while the tree offers important cover and nesting sites for wildlife.
Identification / Key Features: Red pines are recognized by their tall, straight trunks and reddish-brown bark that forms large, scaly plates. Needles grow in clusters of two, 4–6 inches long, stiff, and brittle when bent. The cones are oval, about 2 inches long, and lack prickles.
Mature Height / Size: 50–80 feet.
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast.
Light / Soil / Site Preferences: Prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. Drought-tolerant and commonly found on upland sites.
Wildlife Value / Ecological Role: Seeds are eaten by small mammals and birds such as red squirrels and crossbills. The trees provide excellent nesting habitat for raptors.
Uses / Economic / Cultural: Important timber species in Michigan, valued for utility poles, cabin logs, and construction lumber. Often used for reforestation and windbreaks.
Identification: Red pines are conifers that can be identified by their needle arrangement and bark. Red pine needles grow in bundles of two, at 4-6 inches long. Needles break cleanly when bent, unlike the similar-looking Austrian pine whose needles flex when bent. Cones are egg-shaped. Red pine bark forms reddish-gray to reddish-orange scaly, flaky plates. Red pines grow fast when young, becoming tall with straight trunks. Sometimes referred to as "Norway pine," this is a misnomer since the tree is native to North America.
Mature Height: 50-80 feet; can reach more than 100 feet.
Preferences: Full sun to partial sun. Hardiness zones 2-6. Red pines prefer acidic, sandy, well-drained soils.
Wildlife Value: The seeds of red pines are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
Uses: Red pine is an important timber species with industry uses including utility poles, paper, and construction.
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