Species short-leaf pine
long, yellow-green needles with brown stems

short-leaf pine

Pinus echinata

Short-leaf pines (Pinus echinata) are native to the southeastern United States and are found primarily in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. They are tall, moderately-sized evergreen conifers that typically reach a height of 20-50 feet, with thick bark and a narrow, cone-shaped crown. Short-leaf pines have short, stiff needles with blunt tips and grow in groups of two to three. Their cones are brown and thin, measuring 2-4 inches in length. Short-leaf pines have a high tolerance for smoke and are able to survive and recover after devastating wildfires. The use of these trees as timber for construction and carpentry is highly valued.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

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

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water your short-leaf pine when the top inch of soil is dry. This should be done once every week and/or depending on your local climate humidity. Typically it is best to water your short-leaf pine upon waking in the morning, as the soil is cooler and can allow more water to be absorbed. The amount of water required for your short-leaf pine will depend largely on the size of the plant. For container grown / small trees, you should aim for about 1-2 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter. Downspouts or soaker hoses can be employed if the tree is too tall for easy hand watering. For larger trees, you can also water more deeply, which may include using a backpack sprayer for the larger trees.

sunlight

Short-leaf pine (Pinus echinata) requires full sun for optimal health and growth. The tree should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably more. Sunlight should be from early morning until late afternoon/early evening. During the heat of the summer months, the tree benefits from some partial shade in the mid-afternoon to protect it from sunburn and potential dehydration. In areas where temperatures remain above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few days a week, noon knt shade should be provided.

pruning

Short-leaf pine (Pinus echinata) should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done judiciously, meaning that only dead, diseased, or crossed branches should be pruned. While this species benefits from an annual light pruning, it does not require heavy pruning. A light pruning may still be beneficial for aesthetic reasons or if it is desired to reduce the size and spread of the plant. Pruning should be done in such a way that it preserves the natural shape of the plant.

Season

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

Pinus echinata typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map