Pinus rigida

• BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus rigida
• COMMON NAME: Pitch Pine
• FAMILY: Pinaceae
• NATIVITY: Found in the coastal regions throughout the north to the south.
• GROWTH HABIT:  40-60’
• HARDINESS:  USDA Zone 4 to 7
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Acidic, sandy, well-drained soils and full sun.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Climax
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative Upland
• LANDSCAPE VALUE: Not highly valued.
• FOLIAGE: Needles clumped in 3’s
• BUDS:  Cylindrical or conical; sharply pointed, usually resinous.
• BARK:  Dark and flaky, turning to smoother browner plates.
• FRUIT:  Cones are in whorls and light brown, remaining for 2 years on the tree.  A noticable “hook” is on the back of the scales on the cone.
• PESTS:  Root rot, dieback, and stem blister rust.