Virginia Pine

Other names

Scrub Pine

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

NY to AL, Ms & SC

Location

Comstock Knoll and Rhododendron Collection, Conifer Slope

Source of plant

Clements State Tree Nursery

Description

Tree, sometimes shrubby, to 8-20(-30)m tall, native to the lowlands and foothills of E US from NY south to northern Alabama, Mississippi & South Carolina from sea level to 800m. The crown is dense, rounded or flat topped with numerous spreading, ascending branches. The buds are ovoid, 5-10mm long. The needles are in fasicles of 2, light or dark green, stiff and twisted, 4-8cm long and 1-1.5mm wide, aromatic when crushed. The pollen-cones are 10-15mm long, reddish brown, turning yellow. The seed-cones are solitary or 2-4 together, conical, obtuse, 4-7cm long, ovoid, symmetric, red-brown, opening when mature, persisitent. The seed-scales are woody, rigid, the umbo armed with a slender, strong prickle to 5mm long. A pioneer species growing on poor soils in a cool humid climate.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

large conifer, winter interest