Species jack pine
small, needle-like, green leaves with dark-brown stems

jack pine

Pinus banksiana

Jack Pine, Pinus banksiana, is a species of conifer native to eastern and central Canada and much of the northern United States. It is an evergreen tree, growing to 20–40 ft in height and 1–2 ft in diameter. Its needles are short (2-3 inches long) and dark green, and arranged in fascicles of two and twisted. The cones are 3-5 in long and typically turn a brown color when ripe. Jack Pine is tolerant of many types of soils and can survive in most climates, including strong winds and dry soil, making it a common choice for landscaping. Its bark has a reddish-brown color with thick plates that shed with age. Jack Pine is also the only pine species adapted to fire and even requires continuous fire for its regeneration.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 6

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky

Cones:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Jack pine trees need to be watered when first planted and then every 1-2 weeks during the warmer months of the growing season. They prefer moist, well-drained soils and require 1 to 2 inches of water per week. The amount of watering will vary depending on the climate, soil type, and the weather conditions during that season. It is important to monitor the tree's soil and ensure it is never completely saturated with water. The best way to check is to insert your finger into the soil - if it feels dry, then water is needed. If the soil is moist, then no additional water is necessary.

sunlight

Jack pine is a species of pine tree that is native to North America and prefers full sun for optimum growth and health. This species requires a minimum of 5 hours of direct sunlight per day and should be planted in an area that will receive a minimum of 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season. Additionally, Jack pine is heavy shade intolerant, meaning it will not do well in shaded areas. Sunlight is most important during the spring and summer growing season, while Jack pine growth will slow during fall and winter.

pruning

Jack pine should be pruned in late spring or early summer. Prune any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, then thin the branches by removing any branches that are crossed or crowded, and remove any dead cones. This will help maintain air circulation, which is important for healthy growth. Pruning should be done lightly, as jack pine are slow-growing and don't require heavy pruning. Aim to remove no more than 25% of the foliage from the plant at any 1 time.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Jack pine typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map