Red Pine (Norway Pine)

Red pine (also called Norway pine) is a species of medium-sized, evergreen coniferous trees found in North America. Growing in pure, hardwood, or mixed-conifer stands, the Norway pine commonly occurs with Virginia pine, Table Mountain pine, pitch pine, and eastern white pine. It has a conical crown that becomes rounded dome at maturity.

Red Pine (Norway Pine)

Scientific Classification of Red Pine

Norway [Red] Pine Tree

Red [Norway] Pine

Quick Information

Other Names	Northern pine, Pin rouge (French)
Size	Height: 66-115 ft (20-35 m); can reach 143 ft (43.7 m)Trunk Diameter: 3 ft 3 in (1 m)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Dark yellow-green, two needles in each fascicle, snap when bent, 12-18 cm longCones: Symmetrical ovoid, purple when young, ripen to nut-blue, 4-6 cm long, 2.5 broad Bark: Thick, grayish-brown base; thin, bright-orange, flaky upper crown in young trees; become plated with age
Distribution/Range	From eastern North America and Newfoundland west to Minnesota, Manitoba; also in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia, northern New Jersey, central Illinois
Hardiness Zones	3-6
Growth Rate	Slow to medium; 1-1.5 ft per year
Lifespan	Long-lived tree, can survive up to 500 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Cold winters with average temperatures ranging between -18° and -4° CSummer Conditions: Cool to warm; average temperatures range from 16-20° C Rain: 510-1,010 mm per year Sunlight: Full sun Soil Requirements: Sandy loam, moist, well-drained, acidic; sometimes grow in rocky and dry soil
Diseases and Pests	Shoestring root rot, Scleroderris canker, Fomes root rot; insects like pine shoot beetle, jack pine budworm, white pine weevil, European pine shoot moth, and pine root-collar weevil cause damage
Flowering/Fruiting	Flowers appear during April-June; pollination takes place during May-June, fertilization occurs in mid-July the following year
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Starts at 15-25 years of age, best produced from 50-150 years
Seedling Development	Seedlings emerge in moderate conditions, with the temperature ranging from 21°-30° C and rainfall greater than 100 mm during the growing season
Wildlife Value	Provide habitat and nesting sites for pine warbler, osprey, bald eagle, and great blue heron; white-tailed deer and snowshoe hares browse the shoots and seedlings; squirrels, meadow voles, and white-footed mice consume the seeds
Varieties/Cultivars	‘Don Smith,’ ‘Morel,’ ‘Globosa,’ ‘Fastigiata,’ ‘Aurea,’ ‘Baxter,’ etc.
Uses	For wood production including poles, piling, cabin logs, lumber, posts, pulpwood, mine timbers, railway ties, box boards, and fuel; as a bonsai, ornamental, and Christmas tree; for sandblow control, windbreaks, and snowbreaks
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Red Pine Tree

Norway Pine Bark

Red Pine Needles

Minnesota State Tree

Interesting Facts

• Since Norway pine is a self-pruning tree, dead branches are rarely visible on it.
• In 1953, red pine was recognized as the state tree of Minnesota.

Red Pine Cones

Red Pine Leaves

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_resinosa
2. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pinres/all.html
3. http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=110
4. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42410/2978087
5. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_pire.pdf