pitch pine
ExplorePlants
pitch pine
Pinus rigida
Pitch pines are tall trees with long, slender needles. They are known for their thick, scaly bark and can grow in sandy soils. These trees are great for wildlife and help keep the environment healthy.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The pitch pine has a distinctively irregular, often gnarled shape with thick, reddish-brown bark that's deeply furrowed and scaly. Its stiff, yellowish-green needles grow in bundles of three, and its prickly cones often remain on the branches for years.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPinus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its name comes from its sticky resin, once used to seal old wooden ships!
Some pitch pines can live for over 300 years, standing tall through many storms!
These tough trees are often the *first* to grow back after a forest fire!
You can always tell a pitch pine by its needles, which grow in bundles of *three*!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Rescuer
Pitch pine has super thick bark and dormant buds that help it survive forest fires and quickly sprout new growth.
Ability
Heat Seed Release
Pitch pine cones are serotinous, meaning intense heat like a fire helps them open to release their seeds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-2000 cm
- Spread
- 600-1200 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
shelters
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Dryobates borealis
nests in living pine trees, including pitch pines.
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on the needles and twigs, especially in winter.
eats
Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
feasts on the nutrient-rich seeds from the pine cones.
Traits
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay on paths when exploring forests and don't touch the trees too hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is pitch pine?
1000-2000 cm
How wide does pitch pine spread?
600-1200 cm
When does pitch pine bloom?
Spring
Is pitch pine edible?
No
Is pitch pine toxic?
None
What is pitch pine's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is pitch pine pollinated?
Wind
Where is pitch pine usually found?
Forests
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