As with so many other states, Pennsylvania is home to numerous types of trees and this is one of the reasons why it is such a beautiful state to travel through. Some of the most common trees include the white oak, black cherry, Eastern white pine, sugar maple, and the flowering dogwood, among others. Pine trees dot the landscape of nearly every part of Pennsylvania and make every trip you take a lot more memorable.
Contents
Pine trees are evergreens and coniferous resinous trees that grow up to 260 feet in height, although the average pine tree gets to roughly 150 feet tall. They are able to live for anywhere from 100 to 1000 years and they have four types of leaves, one of them being the needles. For more details on pines that are specific to Pennsylvania, keep reading because this information is below.
It is very common to see different types of pine trees as you travel throughout Pennsylvania. Even the sumac tree, which is originally from China and was first planted in the United States near Philadelphia, is popular in many parts of the state. Pine trees are tall and sturdy. Because there are a variety of them available, you’ll be able to enjoy more than one type if this is the tree that you’ve decided to plant in your backyard.
1. Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
This tree is also called the scrub pine or the Jersey pine and it can get up to roughly 60 feet in height, although the average size is somewhat smaller. The leaves are short and yellow-green in color. The tree is a great provider of lumber and wood pulp used for various construction and other projects. It provides nourishment for wildlife and can even be found on Christmas tree farms because it makes a beautiful Christmas tree.
2. Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)
The pitch pine is a small to medium-sized tree that gets from 20 to nearly 100 feet in height and they are quite common in the northeastern section of the United States. The tree is unique because it has twisted branches and an irregular shape. The needles consist of bundles of three and the tree grows very fast in the first few years of life.
Because the trunks tend to be somewhat crooked or oddly shaped, this type of pine wood is not often used in construction or manufacturing projects but it is used for building ships and railroad ties, among other things.
3. Pitlolly Pine (Pinus rigida x taeda)
This is a hybrid pine, a result of a crossing of Pitch and Loblolly varieties. In many cases, this type of pine tree is grown merely for its beautiful foliage, which has a glossy and shiny look to it. The tree grows to more than 40 feet in height and combines the winter hardiness of the pitch pine with the loblolly pine’s ability to grow quickly, making for a very versatile tree that is sturdy and won’t make you wait long to enjoy its benefits.
It is also a very simple pine tree to grow because it does well in most soil conditions, including areas where the soil is poor.
4. Red Pine (Pinus resinosa Aiton)
Red pine trees grow up to roughly 120 feet tall, although some can get up to 140 feet instead. The bark is unusual because it changes colors depending on where it is located, with the bark close to the base of the tree being a grayish-brown color and turning a bright orange-red color once it gets to the center. Its tall, straight stature makes it a very regal-looking tree. The needles grow in groups of two and are yellowish-green in color.
5. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.)
The Eastern white pine is part of the white pine group and has needles that produce new growth in the summer and seed cones that are long and slender. Some Eastern white pines have grown to around 230 feet but this is a rarity because most are below 180 feet. Still, this is a very tall tree that presents an elegant display once it is fully grown.
Some of the uses for this type of pine include lumber for construction projects, furniture, and more as well as building barns, ships, and even some types of artwork. It is a truly versatile type of pine wood.
6. Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens)
This type of white pine is smaller than other pines and is found mostly in the Appalachian area of the United States. They are usually no taller than 40 feet high and they have needles that come in bundles of two. They have short-stalked cones that are almost completely seedless and they are pale pink to yellow in color.
Found mostly on rocky slopes, the table mountain pine tree prefers dry conditions and is also called a hickory pine or a prickly pine.
7. Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)
The shortleaf pine tree is popular throughout the eastern part of the United States and some parts of the southwest. It can reach up to 100 feet in height and have a trunk nearly three feet in diameter. One of its best qualities is the ability to grow in a variety of soils and growing conditions, making it a very sturdy tree.
Uses for this type of pine tree include lumber, plywood veneer, and basic wood pulp. It can also have a trunk that is irregular or oddly shaped. In addition, the cones are roughly three inches long and have a short prickle.
