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Pinus banksiana
Lamb.
Jack Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus banksiana is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to boreal forests of Canada and the northeastern United States, and is an important timber tree. It is the provincial tree of the Northwest Territory (FNAEC 1993).
Description
Pinus banksiana is a medium-sized tree. It grows up to 20 or 27 m with a trunk that grows up to 1 m wide, although it is often very scraggly. It forms a narrowly conical crown with branches that are short, horizontal to upswept. Needles are stiff and sometimes twisted, around 2 to 4 cm in bundles of 2. They are yellowish green with bands (which are stomata) on both sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 2 to 3 years. Sheaths are 3 to 6 mm long. Buds are 5 to 15 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is orange-brown when young, turning dark gray and shallowly furrowed into narrow blocks. Twigs are yellowish brown becoming grayish and are hairless. Pollen cones are 10 to 15 mm, yellowish brown. Seed cones are 3 to 7 cm long, egg-shaped and slightly asymmetrical, and stalkless. They are green, ripening to brown, eventually fading to gray. Cones have 50 to 80 scales that are wedge-shaped, sometimes domed. The a diamond-shaped umbo sometimes has a tiny prickle. These cones open only in the event of a fire, at which point they release their seeds. They stay on the tree even after they release the seeds. Seeds are 3 to 5 mm long, with an easily detachable wing that is 10 to 12 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Young and large stands of this species serve as the only nesting place for a rare bird known as Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii). Once very close to extinction, a conservation plan has been put in place, and it is now considered “Near Threatened” by the IUCN (BirdLife International 2018).
Young and large stands of this species serve as the only nesting place for a rare bird known as Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii). Once very close to extinction, a conservation plan has been put in place, and it is now considered “Near Threatened” by the IUCN (BirdLife International 2018).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus banksiana is mainly (and often) used as a timber tree. Despite being small, it grows densely and evenly within strands, so it is suitable for plantations. Its wood is used for pulpwood, carpentry, and various other uses (Farjon 2013). It may be cultivated as an ornamental, and it prefers full sun and sandy loams and grows in USDA zones 2 to 6 (MBG).
Distribution
Pinus banksiana is found in boreal forests that are often dry and sandy, but it can also grow in peat and granite. It is fire-adapted, and usually it requires fire to open its cones and release its seeds. It grows in relatively low elevations, up to 800 m. It is typically associated with other northern trees such as paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) (Farjon 2013). It is native from Nova Scotia and northern Illinois west to Alberta and Northwest Territory, with a small disjunct population in eastern Pennsylvania (FNAEC 1993).
Status
Pinus banksiana is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", since it has a very wide distribution; in fact, it is the most widely distributed pine in North America (Farjon 2013).
References
BirdLife International. 2018. Setophaga kirtlandii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22721722A132146817.en.
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus banksiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42346A2974230.en.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus banksiana. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Sep 27]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284994
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus banksiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42346A2974230.en.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus banksiana. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Sep 27]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284994
Description
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