Pinus rigida
Pitch Pine
General
Pitch Pine is a medium sized tree that grows in dry, sandy, and rocky areas. Frequent along the coast. 3 needles per bundle, Pitch Pine will thrive after a wildfire, and may dominate an area that has had repeated wildfires.
Plant Description
Pitch pine is the only pine in the northeastern area of the US that mainly grows needles in clusters of three. Foliage is shiny and dark green, bark is a light reddish-grey, and the wood is light in color. Pitch pines tend to form knots and are irregular in their growth.
Height (ft)
50
Spread (ft)
50
Soil moisture
Low, Dry
Soil types
Sandy or gravelly moist loams.
Wetland indicator
FAC
Shade tolerance
Full Sun
Bloom color
Yellow or Green
Bloom period
Spring
Fall conspicuous
No
Anaerobic tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Medium
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Appalachian Mountains, from southern Maine to eastern Tennessee.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the wood has been used as lumber and for making longer canoes. This tree has been taken for rheumatism and burns. The smoke from burning leaves have been used to get rid of fleas.