Red Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus resinosa
Category: tree
Brief Description
A large evergreen conifer tree native to North America, recognized by its long needles in bundles of two and reddish-brown, scaly bark.
Characteristics
Needles are dark green, flexible, 4 to 6 inches long, and always occur in fascicles (bundles) of two that snap cleanly when bent. The cones are about 2 inches long with smooth scales lacking prickles.
Habitat
Dry, sandy soils, rocky ridges, and glacial outwash plains, often forming pure stands or mixed forests with white pine and jack pine.
When to Find It
Evergreen; visible year-round. Cones mature in the autumn of their second year.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Ecological Role
Provides essential shelter and nesting sites for birds such as the red crossbill and small mammals. Seeds are consumed by various wildlife.
Easily Confused With
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), which has shorter, twisted, blue-green needles and orange-peel-like upper bark; and Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), which has shorter needles in bundles of two that are distinctly curved and divergent.
Observation Tips
Look for stands of tall, straight conifers with reddish bark in sandy soils across the upper Midwestern United States and Canada.
Interesting Facts
The name 'red pine' comes from the distinctive reddish tint of its bark. It is also known as Norway pine, though it is not native to Norway.
User Notes
Wisconsin