Close up of red pine cones in golden light
upward view of red pine stand in golden light
Full mature red pine tree
Commercial red pine stand
close up of a cluster of 3 red pine cones
MDNR Red Pine cone and information
Close up of red pine cones in golden light
upward view of red pine stand in golden light
Full mature red pine tree
Commercial red pine stand
close up of a cluster of 3 red pine cones
MDNR Red Pine cone and information

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

from $33.00

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.

Bloom Time: Cones emerge in spring; seeds mature in fall
Sun: Full sun
Mature Height: 50–80 ft
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils; drought-tolerant
Wildlife: Provides food and shelter for birds and mammals
Uses: Windbreaks, reforestation, wildlife habitat, erosion control, natural landscapes

Bare Root Seedling Height: 4-8”

Bundle Size:

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.

Bloom Time: Cones emerge in spring; seeds mature in fall
Sun: Full sun
Mature Height: 50–80 ft
Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils; drought-tolerant
Wildlife: Provides food and shelter for birds and mammals
Uses: Windbreaks, reforestation, wildlife habitat, erosion control, natural landscapes

Bare Root Seedling Height: 4-8”

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.

Source: “Michigan Trees”, Michigan DNR