Pinus rigida

Pitch Pine

Family: Pinaceae

Native Region: Eastern US and Canada

Plant Community: Oak Hickory, Barrier Beach, Old Field?

Size: 40-70′ tall

Hardiness Zone: 4-7

Habitat: Found in dry, rocky soils, exposed sites, dry sites, coastal swamps and peaty, coastal swamps. It prefers full sun exposure in dry, rocky, sandy soil, acidic (pH <6.8) soil, but is a generalist and can grow in wet to dry soil.

Leaf: Green with little yellow

Flower: Green, blooming March-May.

Ecosystem services: This species is drought tolerant and used to restore bare, sandy soils and worn out land. With a five year establishment period, then grows rapidly. This species is a colonizer of anthropogenic and disturbed regions that relies on forest fires. Resilient to fire and deer, shoots up more sprouts in response to stress. Relies on clear areas, meaning it does not compete well and instead chooses to colonize open land. Only moderately salt-tolerant pine in NE.