Virginia Pine
Scientific Name: Pinus virginiana
— pronounced PY-nus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
— Pinus, Latin for pine; virginiana, New Latin, meaning "of Virginia"
Pine Family (Pinaceae), which includes such other conifers as cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, and spruces
Other common names: Scrub Pine, Spruce Pine, Jersey Pine, Poverty Pine
A young Virginia Pine’s bark is orange-brown and scaly; later, small scaly plates develop, as in the photo.
The needles are 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, in groups of two. Each needle is twisted: this is the only pine in the Preserve with twisted needles.
— pronounced PY-nus vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
— Pinus, Latin for pine; virginiana, New Latin, meaning "of Virginia"
Pine Family (Pinaceae), which includes such other conifers as cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, and spruces
Other common names: Scrub Pine, Spruce Pine, Jersey Pine, Poverty Pine
A young Virginia Pine’s bark is orange-brown and scaly; later, small scaly plates develop, as in the photo.
The needles are 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, in groups of two. Each needle is twisted: this is the only pine in the Preserve with twisted needles.
Photos: by David Rosher
The cones are small and egg-shaped, 1 1/2 to 2 inches long, and sit directly on the branches throughout the tree’s crown. Their red-brown scales end in a needle-like prickle.
The small brown seeds have a "wing" up to 0.8 inches long.
The cones are small and egg-shaped, 1 1/2 to 2 inches long, and sit directly on the branches throughout the tree’s crown. Their red-brown scales end in a needle-like prickle.
The small brown seeds have a "wing" up to 0.8 inches long.
Cone Photo by David Rosher, Photo of seeds from North Carolina State University herbarium
More photos and information: VA Tech dendrology.
The Virginia Pine is a pioneer species: it’s among the first trees to colonize abandoned farmland or sites disturbed by erosion or fire. Pioneers grow fairly fast, produce seeds early (Virginia Pine may do so at only 5 years old in an open site), and have a way to disperse seeds widely (see the winged seeds above). Because the seedlings of Virginia Pine and other pioneers can’t get established in shade, these species are eventually replaced by hardwoods.
The several Virginia Pines seen in this area are due to the road disturbance.
Interesting facts:
More photos and information: VA Tech dendrology.
The Virginia Pine is a pioneer species: it’s among the first trees to colonize abandoned farmland or sites disturbed by erosion or fire. Pioneers grow fairly fast, produce seeds early (Virginia Pine may do so at only 5 years old in an open site), and have a way to disperse seeds widely (see the winged seeds above). Because the seedlings of Virginia Pine and other pioneers can’t get established in shade, these species are eventually replaced by hardwoods.
The several Virginia Pines seen in this area are due to the road disturbance.
Interesting facts:
- Virginia Pines grow quickly and live 65 to 90 years.
- As a Virginia Pine’s lower branches die and fall off, they often leave stubs. The tree seen whole may thus strike the viewer as looking scrubby and unkempt.