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Pinus pungens
Lamb.
Table Mountain Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus pungens is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the Appalachian Mountains.
Description
Pinus pungens is a small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 20 to 30 m with a trunk that grows up to 0.4 to 0.8 m wide. It forms an irregular, open, and flat-topped crown. Branches are thick, pointing upwards. Needles are twisted, stiff, and sharply pointed, typically 4 to 9 cm in bundles of 2 to 3. They are dark green with conspicuous bands (which are stomata) on both sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 2 to 3 years. Sheaths are 5 to 10 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 6 to 9 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is thin, flaky, reddish brown to dark gray and shallowly furrowed. Twigs are orange brown and are tough but brittle and hairless. Pollen cones are 12 to 18 mm, reddish purple. Seed cones are typically 6 to 8 cm long, broadly egg-shaped and asymmetrical, and short, up to 1 cm long. They are green, ripening to shiny yellowish brown. Cones have 90 to 140 scales that are wedge-shaped; the exposed face is diamond-shaped and generally pyramidal, with a long, sharp, and curved spine. These cones open slowly to release their seeds and stay on the tree for many years. Seeds are typically 4 to 6 mm long, with a non-detachable wing that is 15 to 22 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Among pines in eastern North America, Pinus pungens is distinctive in having sharp needles and cone scales (Sibley 2009).
Among pines in eastern North America, Pinus pungens is distinctive in having sharp needles and cone scales (Sibley 2009).
Uses
​Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus pungens has relatively poor-quality wood for timber, being small and crooked, but is used for pulpwood and firewood (Farjon 2013).
Distribution
Pinus pungens is a pioneer species. It quickly colonizes newly changed terrain, and is often the dominant species at higher altitudes in its range (Farjon 2013). It grows in sandy or shaly soils in mountains at altitudes of 500 to 1350 m. It is native to the Appalachian Mountains, in northern Georgia, northwestern South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey (FNAEC 1993).
Status
Pinus pungens is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern". Although it has undergone some decline due to forest management and southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) outbreaks, it is still widely distributed (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus pungens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42406A2977840.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.
Sibley, D. A. 2009. The Sibley Guide to Trees. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus pungens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42406A2977840.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.
Sibley, D. A. 2009. The Sibley Guide to Trees. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Description
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