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Pinus resinosa
Aiton
Red Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus resinosa is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is the state tree of Minnesota (FNAEC 1993).
Description
Pinus resinosa is a medium to tall tree, growing up to 25 or even up to 38 m tall, with a trunk that can grow up to 0.8 to 1 m wide in diameter. It forms a conical crown at first, becoming more cylindrical in dense stands. Branches are few, slender and horizontal, with needles clustered at the tips. Needles are stiff and distinctively brittle, typically 12 to 16 cm in bundles of 2. They are glossy dark green with narrow bands (which are stomata) on both sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 3 to 4 years. Sheaths are 20 to 25 mm long, and the lower 10 to 15 mm are persistent, falling with the bundle. Buds are typically 12 to 20 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is reddish brown, with irregular flate plates separated by dark brown or blackish furrows. Twigs are orangish to reddish brown and are hairless and rough with tiny brown scalelike leaves. Pollen cones are 10 to 15 mm and purple. Seed cones are around 3.5 to 7 cm long, broadly egg-shaped on a short stalk. They are green, ripening to pale reddish brown. Cones have around 50 to 80 scales that are paddle-shaped, with the exposed face being slightly raised with a triangular umbo. These cones open widely to release their seeds and fall from the tree. Seeds are small, 5 to 6 mm long, with an easily detachable wing that is 13 to 15 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Pinus resinosa is able to self-fertilize without inbreeding, since its genes have very little variation in them anyway. This trait is unusual in that it is shared only by a few very rare pines whose genetic diversities have been reduced, such as the Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana). It can also easily attach its roots to other trees of the same species, which may be a consequence of this. However, this lack of genetic diversity makes it susceptible to pests, in particular the European pine shoot moth (Rhyacionia buoliana) (Eckenwalder 2009).
Pinus resinosa is able to self-fertilize without inbreeding, since its genes have very little variation in them anyway. This trait is unusual in that it is shared only by a few very rare pines whose genetic diversities have been reduced, such as the Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana). It can also easily attach its roots to other trees of the same species, which may be a consequence of this. However, this lack of genetic diversity makes it susceptible to pests, in particular the European pine shoot moth (Rhyacionia buoliana) (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus resinosa is often cultivated as an ornamental. It grows in medium-moisture, well-drained, sandy loams in full sun. It grows best in USDA zones 2 to 5, and does not do well in areas with hot and humid summers (MBG).
Distribution
Pinus resinosa tends to grow in low-elevation areas between 200 m and 450 m, but at its highest in the Appalachian Mountains, it grows at up to 1300 m. It most commonly grows in sandy, acidic soils, or sometimes the edges of swamps. It grows in mixed forests with both conifers and deciduous trees; the most common conifers are eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana), while the most common deciduous trees are poplars (Populus), maple (Acer), oaks (Quercus), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). In mountainous areas, it grows alongside other coniferous species (Farjon 2013).
The species’ range in Canada ranges from Manitoba to Newfoundland as well as New Brunswick; in the United States, it is found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (Farjon 2013).
The species’ range in Canada ranges from Manitoba to Newfoundland as well as New Brunswick; in the United States, it is found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (Farjon 2013).
Status
Pinus resinosa is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", as it has a very wide range and no threats. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the tree was extensively logged for its wood, but it is recovering and being reforested (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus resinosa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42410A2978087.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 resinosa. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 21]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285002
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus resinosa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42410A2978087.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 resinosa. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 21]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285002
Description
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