Family: Pinaceae
Latin Name: Pinus resinosa
Common Name(s): Red Pine, Norway Pine
Deciduous or Evergreen: Evergreen
Native Range: Central and Northern United States, Southeastern Canada
USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-5
Mature Height: 50-80’
Mature Spread: 20-25’
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Native to Minnesota: Yes
Shade Tolerant: No
Description
Red pine is the state tree of Minnesota, and is commonly found throughout the state. Leaves are soft and flexible needles, from 4-6” long, grouped in clusters of two. Cones are ovoid with thin scales, and are chestnut brown. The bark is thick and made up of shallow grooves covered by reddish-brown scales.
Red pine is of moderate interest as a timber species, and its moderately hard wood is used for poles or cabin logs. The inner bark can be pounded to a poultice and used to soothe sores or ulcers. Minnesotans might see the tree most often planted as a windbreak, as Red pine is highly tolerant of high winds.
The tallest red pine in the state used to stand over 120’ tall in Lake Itasca State Park. It is thought to be over 200 years old, but was damaged in 2008 and is no longer the state’s tallest. There is also a strong research project for Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change in Red Pine-dominated forests at Cloquet Research Center.
Issues:
Needle cast and blight, bark canker, and root rots and rusts can occur. Budworm is also a significant pest.
Other Resources:
