61 Different Types of Pine Trees With Picture Identification
Thinking of planting some pine trees, but aren't sure which type you should pick? There are many different types of pines you can add to your yard or garden, so picking just one can be a difficult thing to do. In this article, we look at the many different pine tree types, with pictures of each!
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Pine trees are the most widely known species, as their abundant presence and benefits are mighty. These trees are some of the most remarkable species for medicinal uses, timber, and natural disaster protection.
These magnificent trees can live for more than a hundred years. They are coniferous, meaning they produce cones that hold their seeds, and they have thin needles instead of leaves. Depending on the species, these needles can be short or so long that they hang downward. These needles do not fall off in the cold winter months.
We could talk about hundreds of different types of pine trees. However, in this comprehensive guide, we will cover 61 different pine trees native to regions around the world.
Aleppo Pine
common name Aleppo Pine | |
botanical name Pinus halepensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-80 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 |
The first species of pine tree is the Aleppo pine. Pinus halepensis is native to countries around the Mediterranean Basin. Aleppo pine is an important species for the eastern Mediterranean populations as a resin, wood, and honey resource.
The Pinus halepensis has purple-brown colored bark and grows to heights of 50 to 80 feet. The Aleppo pine has long dark-green needles, pepper-shaped cones, and an irregular spherical shape.
While it’s an essential resource for countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, it’s not ideal for farming or harvesting wood because of its odd shape and poor-quality wood.
Apache Pine
common name Apache Pine, Arizona Longleaf Pine | |
botanical name Pinus engelmannii Carr | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-82 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 |
The Pinus engelmannii Carr grows in Arizona and one area of New Mexico, with primary distribution in the northern Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Commonly referred to as the Apache pine, this species has dark brown bark, straight branches that curve upwards, and dull green needles that come in bundles of three and sometimes five.
A matured Apache pine grows to 50 to 82 feet in semiarid climates. This species has suitable wood for harvesting but doesn’t have a high enough existence for exploitation.
Arizona Pine
common name Arizona Pine | |
botanical name Pinus arizonica | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-112 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-8 |
The Pinus arizonica, or the Arizona pine, grows in the southwest of the United States. The Arizona pine grows best in the climates of South-West New Mexico, South-East Arizona, and in regions of upper Mexico.
Native to Arizona, this species has thick spread-out branches, needles grouped in three to four bunches, and a rounded top. A matured Arizona pine is a relatively more giant pine tree, growing to heights of 112 feet with a wide trunk.
Most Arizona pines aren’t accessible as they grow on slopes, canyons, and other higher places at elevations of 7,000 to 7,500 feet. In Mexico, populations harvest the Arizona pine heavily, resulting in an overall decrease in its total expansion area.
Austrian Pine
common name Austrian Pine, Black Pine | |
botanical name Pinus nigra | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-60 feet | |
hardiness zones 5-8 |
The Pinus nigra has dark green needles, with branches extending horizontally and up from the trunk. This species can grow up to 40 to 60 feet tall, with the oldest appearing taller and having darker bark.
The Pinus nigra is often referred to as the Austrian pine, as it is used decoratively in Europe and the United States. Still, its native habitat is in the Mediterranean Basin. This species’ scientific name comes from the fact that as the tree ages, its bark darkens. This latter tendency also gives it the common name of black pine.
Urban areas plant this species to help areas where air pollution, drainage issues, compact soil, and drought occur often. The Pinus nigra is a widespread plant with variations present in the U.S., Greece, Turkey, Crimea, Canada, and the coastal regions of the Black Sea.
Bishop Pine
common name Bishop Pine | |
botanical name Pinus muricata | |
water needs Low | |
height 40-50 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-9 |
The Pinus muricata grows along the California Coast and in Oregon’s furthest southern coastal counties. This tree is commonly called the Bishop pine and is a dominant species in closed-cone pine forests.
The Bishop pine has dark gray bark, upward extending branches, and upward curving needles in grouped pairs. This species can grow to heights of 40 to 50 feet tall and, sometimes, have more than one trunk leading out from its base.
The Bishop pine is a suitable tree for erosion control and dune stabilization and is adequate for papermaking.
Bosnian Pine
common name Bosnian Pine, Munika, Whitebark Pine | |
botanical name Pinus heldreichii | |
water needs Low | |
height 30-40 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-8 |
Commonly referred to as the Bosnian pine, this tree is native to Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia. The name of this species of Pinus comes from its discoverer, Theodor von Heldreich, a Greek botanist in the latter half of the 19th century.
The Pinus heldreichii is a slow-growing pine with stiff, dark green needles and dark gray bark. This species grows into an oval or pyramid shape since its branches extend outward and curve upward from the trunk.
When planted outside of its native ecosystem, the Bosnian pine may suffer from rust, root rot, and insects like moths, beetles, and bagworms are attracted to this tree.
Canary Island Pine
common name Canary Island Pine, Pino Canario | |
botanical name Pinus canariensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 125-200 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 |
The P. canariensis pine is another tree that originated in the Mediterranean Basin. It’s commonly referred to as the Canary Islands pine since it’s an important tree for the natives to gather water and package bananas with its fallen leaves.
The Canary Island pine grows to 125 to 200 feet tall with thick red-brown bark and long dark needles. A fully matured canariensis pine takes on a triangular shape, requiring proper sunlight and moist soil conditions.
While it’s a unique tree to the Canary Islands, it’s also planted in the Western U.S. states, like California.
Caucasian Pine
common name Caucasian Pine | |
botanical name Pinus kochiana | |
height 85-115 feet | |
hardiness zones 4-7 |
The Pinus kochiana is native to Caucasus, Crimea, and the western part of small Asia. Commonly referred to as the Caucasian pine, this species has grayish bark threat grows below and reddish-yellow bark that grows above. The cones grow in pairs and sometimes in singles. They turn brown, purple-brown, or light gray in maturity.
A matured Caucasian pine can grow to heights between 85-115 feet and generally has an erect or sometimes curved trunk. The top of the tree tends to be very dense. These pine trees grow on rocks made of volcanic layers.
Chihuahua Pine
common name Chihuahua Pine | |
botanical name Pinus leiophylla | |
water needs Low | |
height 60-140 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
The Pinus leiophylla is native to Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico, growing at elevations between 5,000 and 11,000 feet. Commonly referred to as the Chihuahua pine, this species has thick, rough bark, long and slim branches, and light green needles in bunches of three to five.
A matured Chihuahua pine can grow to heights between 60 and 140 feet and have branches that slope upwards, beginning at the upper 60% of the tree’s trunk. The Chihuahua pine exists alongside other pines but can also stand alone.
This species is planted commercially in the East African countries of Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Chinese Red Pine
common name Chinese Red Pine, Southern Chinese Pine | |
botanical name Pinus tabuliformis | |
water needs Low | |
height 70-80 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-8 |
The Pinus tabuliformis has gray-brown bark and dark green needles with a flat dome-shaped top. The Pinus tabuliformis, commonly referred to as the Chinese red pine, is native to China and Korea and is present at elevations of 350 to 8,500 feet. These pine trees grow to heights of around 80 feet at mature ages.
Its scientific name comes from its flatter shape, with P. tabuliformis meaning “table-shaped” in Latin. Interestingly enough, the pulpwood of this tree is one source of vanillin, an artificial vanilla flavor substitute.
Chir Pine
common name Chir Pine, Longleaf Indian Pine | |
botanical name Pinus roxburghii | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-180 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 |
The Pinus roxburghii has thick, red-brown bark and light-green needles, with branches that curve upwards until they’re nearly horizontal at the ends. A matured Pinus roxburghii grows to heights of around 180 feet.
Native to the Himalayan mountains, this species grows at high elevations of 1,500 to 7,500 feet. Pinus roxburghii is commonly referred to as the chir pine or the longleaf Indian pine because of its medicinal properties used in India.
Coulter Pine
common name Coulter Pine | |
botanical name Pinus coulteri | |
water needs Low | |
height 30-83 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
Pinus coulteri is the dominant species in many areas of southern California and Mexico. Commonly referred to as the Coulter pine, this species has weak, light wood, making it a pine species less likely to be planted for its timber.
The Coulter pine has thick dark bark, ascending branches, and long needles in groups of three. A mature tree of this species can grow to varying heights between 30 to 83 feet and lives up to 100 years.
This species typically grows on slopes and ridges at elevations between 500 to 7,000 feet. Most uses of the Coulter pine are for personal reasons, like decorations or for crafts.
The Coulter pine is a popular tree for urban landscapes due to its distinctive, attractive look and is often used to create drought-tolerant landscaping.
Douglas Pine
common name Douglas Pine, Pino, Ocote | |
botanical name Pinus douglasiana | |
water needs Low | |
height 120-150 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-8 |
The Pinus douglasiana is native and only exists in Mexico states of Jalisco, Michoacán, and northern Morelos, but it does expand into areas further north and south. Commonly called the Douglas pine or Pino, this species has drooping needles that grow in bundles of five to seven, rough bark, and curved oval-shaped cones.
The trunk of the Douglas pine grows straight up, reaching heights of around 150 feet, with branches that begin at the upper third of the trunk.
Durango Pine
common name Durango Pine | |
botanical name Pinus durangensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 |
The Pinus durangensis is native to the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, and Jalisco. Better known as the Durango pine, its primary distribution area is in the extensive mountain range of the northern Sierra Madre Occidental.
The Durango pine has horizontally descending branches, dark brown bark, and stiff needles that come in bundles of five to eight, but mostly five. This species grows to heights of 100 to 125 feet at elevations between 5,200 and 9.200 feet.
This species is a valuable timber tree for Mexico’s commercial logging industry.
Image Credit: agnishino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. (Image use allowed with attribution)
False White Pine
common name False White Pine | |
botanical name Pinus pseudostrobus | |
water needs Low | |
height 65-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 |
This species name, Pinus pseudostrobus, meaning false white pine, is native to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. The false white pine has red-gray-brown bark that darkens as it ages and needles that come in bundles of five.
The false white pine reaches heights between 65 and 125 feet tall at maturity. This species’ most enormous recorded tree lives in the Woodbush Forest Reserve of South Africa.
As a resource, regions of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras harvest the timber of the false white pine, resulting in an overall decrease in the tree’s stronger strands.
Foothill Pine
common name Foothill Pine, Gray Pine | |
botanical name Pinus sabiniana | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-120 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
The Pinus sabiniana is native to the coastal climates of California and the Great Basin. Commonly referred to as the Foothill pine or gray pine, this species grows crookedly to heights of around 120 feet in the foothill woodland, northern oak woodland, and other forests of the same species.
Native tribes of California once consumed the seeds of this species. Many continue to gain nutritional benefits from its seeds. The largest recorded Foothill pine, residing in Grass Valley, California, has a height of a little over 134 feet.
Greg’s Pine
common name Greg’s Pine | |
botanical name Pinus greggii | |
water needs Low | |
height 60-80 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
The Pinus greggii is native to eastern Mexico states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Hidalgo, and much of central to east-central Mexico. This species is normally referred to as Greg’s pine. Greg’s pine has dark gray-brown bark, a vertical trunk, and straight, bright-green needles that occur in bundles of three.
A fully matured Greg’s pine can reach heights and grow at elevations between 7,500 and 9,000 feet. This small to medium-sized pine species thrives in Mexico’s tropical rainy, dry, and hot climates.
Henry’s Pine
common name Henry’s Pine | |
botanical name Pinus henryi | |
water needs Low | |
height 75-98 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-9 |
Native to the Eastern Asia region, the Pinus henryi thrives in dry climates with lots of sunshine and grows vertically to around 98 feet. In its native habitats of China and Vietnam, it’s harvested for its wood to construct furniture and other items.
Commonly referred to as Henry’s pine, this species is on the near-threatened list, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The declining presence of this species is because of locals’ use of the tree and the fact that it only exists in its native habitat.
Image Credit: Plant Image Library from Boston, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Image use allowed with attribution)
Herrera Pine
common name Herrera Pine | |
botanical name Pinus herrerae | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-120 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
The Pinus herrerae is native to Mexico regions and grows at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet. Commonly referred to as the Herrera pine, this species has thick red-brown bark, branches that extend horizontally and droop, and yellow-green needles that appear in bunches of three.
This species matures at heights between 80 and 120 feet, with a rounded shape and almost symmetrical oval cones.
Image Credit: Sergio Hernández-León, David S. Gernandt, Jorge A. Pérez de la Rosa, Lev Jardón-Barbolla, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Image use allowed with attribution)
High Mountain Pine
common name High Mountain Pine, Chinese Mountain Pine | |
botanical name Pinus densata | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-98 feet | |
hardiness zones 4-7 |
This Eastern Asian pine, Pinus densata, exists only in the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding provinces. Mature P. densatas grow to around 98 feet tall, with long, stiff needles sprawling around their cones.
Since this species only grows in China, it’s commonly called Sikang pine, meaning High Mountain pine. It earned its name High Mountain pine, because it’s one of China’s native pine species that grows at high elevations of 8,500 to 13,800 feet.
Huangshan Pine
common name Huangshan Pine | |
botanical name Pinus hwangshanensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-9 |
The Pinus hwangshanensis is native to the Anhui province of China, a region known for the Huangshan mountains. Its initial discovery in these mountains accounts for this species’ name, Huangshan pine, which means “Yellow Mountains.”
Huangshan pines grow along the ridges of Huangshan Mountain at elevations of 2,000 to 11,000 feet. This pine tree species is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of its kind, and luckily, the mountain’s ecosystem is a World Heritage Site, meaning it is protected.
The trees cover the sides of Huangshan Mountain, spreading their branches and needles flat along the mountain.
Italian Stone Pine
common name Italian Stone Pine, Umbrella Pine, Mediterramean Stone Pine, Parasol Pine | |
botanical name Pinus pinea | |
water needs Low | |
height 40-80 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-11 |
The Pinus pinea is often called an umbrella pine because of its round umbrella-shaped top. In addition, this species has long horizontal branches that curve up at the ends, red-brown bark, and symmetrical oval-shaped cones.
Since there isn’t a record of someone describing the umbrella pine early on, it’s difficult to determine its exact natural range. In addition, the umbrella pine provides pine nuts, making it a widely cultivated tree for its seeds and giving it its name, pinea, meaning “pine nut” in Italian.
Jack Pine
common name Jack Pine | |
botanical name Pinus banksiana | |
water needs Low | |
height 30-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 3-8 |
The Pinus banksiana is native to North America and is the only pine that exists in the furthest northern regions. This species is commonly called Jack pine; specifically, this species lives in the northern U.S. and extends up to Cape Town, Nova Scotia.
The Jack pine has orange-red-brown bark, branches that begin to descend at the ends and yellow-green needles that come in bunches of two. This species tends to grow asymmetrically, and with each growing differently, they have no distinct shape.
Natives use the Jack pine for its hard, heavy wood to construct telephone poles and fence posts. In addition, this species is a pine tree planted for use as a Christmas tree.
Jalisco Pine
common name Jalisco Pine | |
botanical name Pinus jaliscana | |
water needs Low | |
height 65-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
The Pinus jaliscana is native to the subtropical western mountains of Jalisco, Mexico. Commonly called the Jalisco pine, this species has thin bark, long flexible branches, and light green needles that grow in bundles of four to five.
The Jalisco pine takes on a rounded oval shape with a long vertical trunk and a fully grown pine reaching heights between 65 and 100 feet. This species grows on slopes, near stream banks, and other surfaces where water is available.
Japanese Black Pine
common name Black Pine, Japanese Black Pine | |
botanical name Pinus thunbergii | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 5-8 |
The Pinus thunbergia has dark brown bark, light brown branches, and thick, dark green needles. This species reaches mature heights of around 125 feet and takes on an asymmetrical triangular shape.
As a species native to Japan, it gets its nickname Japanese black pine because of its architectural importance in Japan. In the 14th and 15th centuries and the Edo period, many structures comprised wood from the Pinus thunbergia.
Its scientific name comes from Pehr Thunberg, a Swedish botanist who was the first to write about Japanese botanical flora.
Japanese Red Pine
common name Japanese Red Pine | |
botanical name Pinus densiflora | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 4-7 |
The Pinus densiflora is native to the Northern Eurasian countries of Japan, Korea, and China and has some presence in Russia. The tree is of historical importance to Japanese architecture. Today, it is used decoratively in Western cultures because of its presence in Japan around the 14th and 16th centuries.
The Japanese red pine has a red-brown trunk that separates into several different branches near the bottom of the base. These irregular, sprawled branches grow away from one another, with short bright-green needles forming around the ends of either unit. The needles appear as an umbrella, making it a very majestic pine tree.
P. densiflora can grow in lower elevations near sea level, and they’re a slow-growing species that can reach heights of around 100 feet. At the same time, smaller variations of the Japanese red pine are used decoratively in bonsai.
Jeffrey Pine
common name Jeffrey Pine | |
botanical name Pinus jeffreyi | |
water needs Low | |
height 150-200 feet | |
hardiness zones 5-8 |
The Pinus jeffreyi grows in the U.S. states of California, southwest Oregon, and western Nevada. Commonly referred to as the Jeffrey pine, this species can tolerate colder climates and drought.
The Jeffrey pine has thick yellow-brown bark, spread-out branches that move upward, and varying needle thickness depending on the tree’s elevation and sun exposure. For example, trees at higher elevations have thicker needles, while a Jeffrey pine in the shade has thinner ones.
This species is a slow-growing tree that can live 400 to 500 years and can reach heights of 200 feet.
Khasi Pine
common name Khasi Pine | |
botanical name Pinus kesiya | |
water needs Low to Medium | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 9 |
The Pinus kesiya, known as the Khasi pine, is a native species of the Eastern Asian countries of India, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, China, and Vietnam. The Khasi pine grows in the subtropical climate of this region but can withstand dryer seasons where a fire is expected.
Natives use this tree species to construct house parts, paper, and other things because its wood is lighter. The Khasi pine has short, dark-green needles that point upwards from the branches, with a possible full-grown tree reaching up to 100 feet tall.
This species is prominent in the Luzon Tropical Pine Forests of the Philippines, as it gets hundreds of inches of rain a year.
Knobcone Pine
common name Knobcone Pine | |
botanical name Pinus attenuata | |
water needs Low | |
height 20-40 feet | |
hardiness zones 9 |
Pinus attenuata populates the West Coast of the U.S. in southern Oregon and northern California. The Pinus attenuata is commonly referred to as the knobcone pine, and it grows in patches usually surrounded by other species of pine trees.
The knobcone pine has purple-brown bark, ascending branches, and yellow-green needles in groups of three. A matured knobcone pine snowballs to heights of 20 to 40 feet and has an open appearance, so the branches aren’t closely confined.
This species isn’t prone to insect or disease attacks, so its population isn’t of concern. As a native to the West Coast U.S., the knobcone pine prefers wet winters and dry summers.
Lawson’s Pine
common name Lawson’s Pine | |
botanical name Pinus lawsonii | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
The Pinus lawsonii is native to Mexico in Michoacán, Morelos, Distrito Federal, Veracruz, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Often referred to as Lawson’s pine, this species grows in forests at elevations of 1,300 to 2,600 meters and prefers warmer climates.
Lawson’s pine has a straight vertical trunk, bark that thickens with age, and stiff needles that form in bundles of three to four, sometimes five. This species grows to around 100 feet tall and takes on a pyramid-like shape with a curved top.
Image Credit: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Image use allowed with attribution)
Loblolly Pine
common name Loblolly Pine, Old Field Pine, North Carolina Pine, Arkansas Pine | |
botanical name Pinus taeda | |
water needs Low | |
height 60-90 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-9 |
Pinus taeda is native to the southeastern U.S. states of New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and the Gulf States. Commonly called the Loblolly pine, this species is fast-growing and adaptable, making it a suitable species for soil rehabilitation.
In the U.S., foresters harvest the Loblolly pine for its abundance of lumber and pulpwood, making a commercially exploited timber tree. Loblolly pine has irregular-shaped red-brown bark, slender orange-yellow-brown branches that turn darker with age, and yellow-green needles appearing in bundles of two to three.
The Loblolly pine is prone to insect damage from the southern pine beetle, fusiform rust, root rot, and black root rot, and it cannot handle freezing conditions.
Longleaf Pine
common name Longleaf Pine, Long Straw Pine, Southern Yellow Pine, Swap Pine | |
botanical name Pinus palustris | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-120 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-10 |
Pinus palustris is native to the southeast U.S. coastal states from the lower parts of Virginia to Louisiana. This species also exists in Mississippi and flows into eastern Texas.
Commonly referred to as the longleaf pine, this once filled 59 to 87 million acres, but, unfortunately, it’s suffered population declines. Now the longleaf pine covers around 5 to 10 million acres. Longleaf pine itself is still unthreatened, but its larger distribution areas are home to various endangered plants and animals.
The longleaf pine has long needles, which accounts for its nickname. It can grow to heights of 100 to 120 feet tall.
Luchu Pine
common name Luchu Pine, Ryukyu Island Pine | |
botanical name Pinus luchuensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-80 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-10 |
Pinus luchuensis has gray, smooth bark and dark-green needles that slope upward while creating a flat top. This species can grow to heights of up to 50 to 80 feet.
The Luchu pine appears similar to and is often mistaken for the Pinus taiwanensis and the Pinus hwangshanensis. This pine tree is native to countries in North Eurasia, specifically the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Ryukyu.
The Ryukyu Island pine grows in lower elevations near sea level, with the oldest of its kind reported on an island near Okinawa. The oldest known tree of this species is almost 300 years old.
Lumholtz’s Weeping Pine
common name Lumholtz’s Weeping Pine, Pino Triste | |
botanical name Pinus lumholtzii | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-65 feet | |
hardiness zones 8 |
Pinus lumholtzii is a unique pine species that grows in Mexico at elevations of 6,600 and 8,500 feet. It gets its nickname, the Lumholtz’s weeping pine or the Pino Triste, meaning “sad pine,” in Spanish because of its long drooping needles and branches.
Lumholtz’s weeping pine has thick bark and long hanging needles in bundles of three. The needles grow from 8-12 inches long. A fully-grown tree of this species grows to heights of around 65 feet and takes on a rounded shape.
Luz Maria Pine
common name Luz Maria Pine, Pino Trompillo de Tres Hojas | |
botanical name Pinus luzmariae | |
water needs Low | |
height 60-130 feet | |
hardiness zones 8 |
The Pinus luzmariae grows in the subtropical climate of Mexico and Honduras. Otherwise known as the Luz Maria pine, this species’ population is abundant but endures a slow decline because of difficult pollination months, fire, and illegal logging.
The Luz Maria pine has gray bark, thick branches, and straight needles that begin to droop after two to three years and form in bundles of three. This pine species has spread out upward-sloping branches that take on a rounded triangular shape.
Maritime Pine
common name Maritime Pine, Cluster Pine | |
botanical name Pinus pinaster | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-8 |
Pinus pinaster has thick red-brown bark, yellow-green needles, and upward-curving branches. When young, this species takes on an egg-like shape and then spreads into a crown-like body. At its mature age, the tree can reach heights of 100 feet, with the branches beginning to extend out near the upper third of the trunk.
Native to France, Spain, and Portugal, the Pinus pinaster is an essential resource for these countries’ timber access. The Landes Forest in France is home to Europe’s most extensive human-planted forest of these trees.
The Maritime pine is also a popular decoration for urban areas with warmer temperatures.
Mason Pine
common name Mason Pine, Horsetail Pine, Chinese Red Pine | |
botanical name Pinus massoniana | |
water needs Low | |
height 60-150 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-9 |
Pinus massoniana has pale green needles, thick bark, and cones that grow in clusters of two. This species reaches heights of 60 to 150 feet when fully grown.
Otherwise known as the Chinese red pine or Mason pine, the Massoniana pine tree is native to Southeast provinces in China. This tree requires many hours of sun and humid climates.
The heartwood and sapwood are suitable for construction and paper. Many people also harvest them for their resin. In addition, the tree is an essential resource for southern China natives to replace areas where trees were once abundant.
Maximino’s Pine
common name Maximino’s Pine, Pino Candelillo | |
botanical name Pinus maximinoi | |
water needs Low | |
height 65-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
The Pinus maximinoi grows in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and northwest Nicaragua, resting on mountains, forests, and woodlands. This species, commonly referred to as Maximino’s pine, has long, flexible, slightly downward-leaning branches. Its bark is gray-brown with thin, drooping needles that come in groupings of five.
A fully matured Maximino’s pine grows to 65 to 100 feet, with a vertical trunk and various branches that curve at the ends. This species exists at elevations of 3,000 to 6,00 feet with fluffy-like needles that make this a unique species.
Image Credit: Granjagalatas522, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Image use allowed with attribution)
Mexican Mountain Pine
common name Pino de México, Mexican Mountain Pine, Hartweg’s Pine | |
botanical name Pinus hartwegii | |
water needs Low | |
height 85-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-8 |
The Pinus hartwegii grows in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico at high elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Commonly referred to as the Mexican mountain pine, this species is a valuable resource for its resin.
The Mexican mountain pine has thick, rough bark, slender up-curving branches, and straight dark green needles in groupings of three to six. A fully matured tree of this species can reach heights of around 100 feet, and it appears with a flatter top.
Mexican Weeping Pine
common name Mexican Weeping Pine | |
botanical name Pinus patula | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-10 |
Pinus paluta is native to eastern Mexico and is an important species for producing timber because of its fast growth and long vertical trunk. Otherwise known as the Mexican weeping pine, this species can grow in tropical and subtropical regions depending on the altitude.
Many regions plant the Mexican weeping pine for commercial uses, but there are areas where it was introduced and is now an invasive species. The Mexican weeping pine has long, slender branches with long needles that droop down, almost appearing as a broom. Mature Mexican weeping pine trees grow to heights of 125 feet tall.
Mexican Yellow Pine
common name Mexican Yellow Pine, Pino de Colorado | |
botanical name Pinus oocarpa | |
water needs Low | |
height 90-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 10-12 |
The Pinus oocarpa is native to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Like many other pine tree species native to Mexico, this plant has similar features as other Mexican native pine species, as it was previously referred to as the same species as the Pinus tecunumanii.
The Pinus oocarpa, or the Mexican yellow pine, has a long trunk, thick and stiff needles, and egg-shaped cones. A fully matured Mexican yellow pine reaches heights of 125 feet and appears as a dome shape.
Michoacán Pine
common name Michoacán Pine | |
botanical name Pinus devoniana | |
water needs Low | |
height 65-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
Pinus devoniana is native to the warmer climates of cities in southern Mexico and the southern Highlands of Guatemala. Better known as the Michoacán pine, this species has thick shaggy branches, dark brown bark, and long needles that come in clusters of five.
The Michoacán pine is a beautiful, unique subtropical pine that grows at altitudes between 3,000 and 7,500 feet. A mature tree of this species can reach heights between 65 and 100 feet.
Monterey Pine
common name Monterey Pine | |
botanical name Pinus radiata | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-115 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-10 |
Pinus radiata is a variation of the Monterey species that grows in the U.S. state of California, specifically in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties. Commonly referred to as the Monterey pine, this species aids in erosion control, with its only commercial use being fuelwood.
The Monterey pine has a long vertical trunk, with needles growing in clusters of three. This species grows to heights of 50 to 115 feet. This species’ presence expands outside California in New Zealand, Australia, Chile, South Africa, and southwest Europe.
Unfortunately, Pinus radiata var. radiata is on the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species as an endangered species.
Montezuma Pine
common name Montezuma Pine | |
botanical name Pinus montezumae | |
water needs Low | |
height 65-130 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-11 |
The Pinus montezumae is native to the central mountains expanding from Mexico to Guatemala. Commonly referred to as the Montezuma pine, this is a larger species that grows to heights of around 65 to 115 feet and occasionally as tall as 130 feet.
The Montezuma pine has thick, dark gray-brown bark, with needles varying from wide and upright to thin and sagging. Its cones vary, as well, from egg-shaped to an elongated egg-shape or cone-shape. The overall form of the tree takes on a rounded triangular shape.
Individual branches with thin, sagging needles appear almost fluffy and fan-like. This pine tree species can grow in the U.S. state of California but wouldn’t survive in other climates.
Mugo Pine
common name Bog Pine, Creeping Pine, Mountain Pine | |
botanical name Pinus mugo | |
water needs Low | |
height 5-20 feet | |
hardiness zones 2-7 |
The Pinus mugo is a slow-growing pine that is smaller in stature than many other species and grows in the shape of a shrub. The Mugo pine’s height comes as a large shrub, more than 8 feet, medium shrub, between 5 to 8 feet, and compact, between 10 to 15 feet.
This species is native to the Northern Eurasia region and is an adequate pine to protect and aid in controlling erosion and dune stabilization, with the compact-sized Mugo suitable for windbreaks.
In Scandinavia, Finland, and the Baltic States, the tree was once used for dune stabilization, but now it’s often used for decorative reasons like landscaping.
Pitch Pine
common name Pitch Pine | |
botanical name Pinus rigida | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 4-7 |
The Pinus rigida is native to the furthest northeastern U.S. states and parts of Canada. Commonly called the pitch pine, this evergreen species has red-brown scaly-ridged bark and pale yellow-green needles grouped in bundles of three to five.
A fully matured pitch pine attains heights of around 100 feet and forms into an irregular shape with possibilities of some branches growing horizontally, others straight up, and others slightly descending.
The pitch pine’s crooked trunk makes it a poorer tree for wood harvesting, but it takes its common name from its pitch or sap, traditionally used as a sealant in shipbuilding. Lastly, the pitch pine is the dominant Pinaceae species on Mount Everett in Massachusetts.
Pond Pine
common name Pond Pine, Marsh Pine, Pocosin Pine | |
botanical name Pinus serotina | |
water needs Low | |
height 30-50 feet | |
hardiness zones 4-7 |
Pinus serotina is native to the U.S. states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Commonly referred to as the Pond Pine, this species reached England in the 18th century and still exists, but there are very few.
The Pond pine has red-brown bark, ascending branches with adequate separation on its trunk, and symmetrical oval-shaped cones. Pond pine’s scientific name, serotina, means “late” in Latin and references the cones’ delayed regeneration.
The cones can remain closed for three years and typically open after a fire, making them a uniquely resilient pine tree species.
Praetermissa Pine
common name McVaugh’s Pine | |
botanical name Pinus praetermissa | |
water needs Low | |
height 40-50 feet | |
hardiness zones 9 |
Pinus praetermissa is a close relative of the Pinus oocarpa (Mexican yellow pine) but was originally thought to be a variation of the oocarpa. Praetermissa pine is native to the Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa regions of Mexico.
The species has slender branches, longer needles, and immature cones that appear the same as the Mexican yellow pine but don’t cluster around the base like the oocarpa. Since this species is indistinguishable from its relative, it’s suspected that it’s often mistaken for a Mexican yellow pine, which is extensively logged.
Image Credit: pinidae, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. (Image use allowed with attribution)
Red Pine
common name Red Pine, Norway Pine | |
botanical name Pinus resinosa | |
water needs Low | |
height 75-200 feet | |
hardiness zones 3-6 |
Pinus resinosa is a tall tree that gets its nickname, red pine, from its straight, beautiful, red-colored trunk. This species has yellow-green twisted needles and can grow up to 200 feet tall, with its average height being 75 feet.
The red pine is native to Eastern North America. It is the dominant pine tree species in Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Wisconsin, Ontario, and other parts of the U.S. and Canada.
This species grows at elevations between 700 to 1,400 feet but is present in higher elevations in West Virginia at 4,000 feet. While the Pinus resinosa is abundant and nothing close to being a threatened species, there is a continual decline of this tree in red pine forests.
Its other commonly referred to name, the Norway pine, represents Minnesota’s state tree.
Sand Pine
common name Sand Pine, Florida Spruce Pine, Alabama Pine | |
botanical name Pinus clausa | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-66 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
The Pinus clausa grows in the southeastern U.S. states of Florida and southern Alabama. Two variations of the clausa pine are distinct based on their cones. Those two variations are the Ocala and the immuginata varieties, with Ocala present in the Florida Peninsula and immuginata, or the Choctawhatchee, residing in northwestern Florida.
Otherwise known as the sand pine, this species has gray, brown bark, spread-out branches that slope upwards, and dark green needles that come in pairs. The sand pine grows either straight or leaning and reaches heights of 66 feet.
Some uses of sand pine are Christmas trees and timber. Unfortunately, these trees encounter bark beetles and sand pine sawflies that will attack and, ultimately, damage them.
Scots Pine
common name Scots Pine, Scotch Pine, Baltic Pine | |
botanical name Pinus sylvestris | |
water needs Low | |
height 30-60 feet | |
hardiness zones 3-7 |
Pinus sylvestris is native to Scotland, Scandinavia, northern Europe, and north Asia, but its presence is expansive. This species exists in Canada and the United States, with most of them in the U.S. being a variation of the Pinus sylvestris.
The Pinus sylvestris, commonly called the Scots pine, has thin bark and short, dark-green needles around every branch. The branches extend out and curve up from the trunk.
Compared to the red pine, the Scots pine is weaker as it has more branches, making it more prone to wind damage. In addition, the Scots pine also accounts for 30% of trees planted for the sole purpose of being a Christmas tree.
Shortleaf Pine
common name Shortleaf Pine, Shortleaf Yellow Pine, Southern Yellow Pine | |
botanical name Pinus echinata Mill | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 6-8 |
The Pinus enchinata Mill is a widespread tree in the Southeast U.S., growing in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.
This species, better known as the shortleaf pine, has dark bark that sheds with age, turning red-brown. This pine tree is a medium-sized tree, reaching heights of around 100 feet.
The shortleaf pine is an important species for commercial softwood harvesting.
Slash Pine
common name Slash Pine, Yellow Slash Pine, Swamp Pine | |
botanical name Pinus elliottii Englem | |
water needs Low | |
height 55-100 feet | |
hardiness zones 10-12 |
Pinus elliottii Englem is native to the U.S. costal States of South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana. Commonly referred to as the slash pine, this species also exists in eastern Texas, where it was planted and now occurs naturally.
The slash pine is a giant pine tree growing to heights between 60 and 100 feet. When matured, the lower branches of this species fall off, creating an asymmetrical rounded shape. However, in Florida, where tropical storms are common, the slash pine grows to lower heights of around 55 feet and has longer needles and smaller cones.
Since this species is fast-growing, consists of heavy wood, and carries a high resin supply, it’s a practical resource for construction.
Spruce Pine
common name Spruce Pine, Cedar Pine, Walter Pine | |
botanical name Pinus glabra | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-125 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-9 |
Pinus glabra grows across the southern U.S. states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Often referred to as the spruce pine, this species has smooth gray bark, spread-out branches that ascend, and long needles that come in bundles of two.
Fully grown at 60 to 75 years, the spruce pine reaches a maximum height of 125 feet in hot and humid climates. The presence of this species is scattered and limited, making it an ill-suited tree for commercial harvesting but an adequate resource for local industries.
Sumatran Pine
common name Sumatran Pine | |
botanical name Pinus merkusii | |
water needs Low | |
height 80-150 feet | |
hardiness zones 10-12 |
Pinus merkusii has thin bark at higher altitudes but thick bark at higher elevations where fires are prevalent. This pine species is native to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Pinus merkusii gets its name, Sumatran pine, from being the pine grown the furthest south of the equator, in the Barisan Mountains of South Sumatra, Indonesia.
In northern Vietnam, the Sumatran pine is planted on barren hills to protect against erosion and other natural disasters. The first five years of a Sumatran pine entail slow growth, but after it becomes established, it grows faster and produces 6.5 to 9 pounds of resin. The resin from the Sumatran pine is a valuable resource, given that it creates an abundance each year.
Table Mountain Pine
common name Table Mountain Pine, Hickory Pine, Mountain Pine | |
botanical name Pinus pungens | |
water needs Low | |
height 40-65 feet | |
hardiness zones 5-7 |
The Pinus pungens, commonly called the Table Mountain pine, is a native species to the Appalachian Mountains. This species is slow-growing and smaller than most pine trees, with heights above 66 feet being rare.
The Table Mountain pine typically leans to one side and consists of irregular-shaped branches spread out along the trunk. This pine species grows at higher elevations between 1,640 feet and 4,430 feet.
Taiwan Red Pine
common name Taiwan Red Pine | |
botanical name Pinus taiwanensis | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-165 feet | |
hardiness zones 8 |
The Pinus taiwanensis is native to Eastern Asia, specifically in Taiwan. In Taiwan, it’s a valuable resource for timber. The Pinus taiwanensis, commonly referred to as the Taiwan red pine, is a larger tree with a straight trunk that grows to heights of around 114 feet.
The Taiwan red pine grows at elevations of 750 to 3,500 meters and exists primarily inland. Its needles begin growing near the ends of the branches, making it appear uniformly spaced or uncrowded.
Tenasserim Pine
common name Tenasserim Pine | |
botanical name Pinus latteri | |
water needs Low | |
height 100-135 feet | |
hardiness zones 9-10 |
The Pinus latteri gets its name, Tenasserim pine, from its initial presence in the Tenasserim Mountains of Myanmar. However, its scientific name came from Captain T. Latter, an Englishman. It is a close relative of the Sumatran Pine Tree, but the Tenasserim Pine has longer, thicker needles and larger pine cones.
This species reaches heights of 100 to 135 feet, with gray-brown bark and upward-curving branches. In its native climate, the Pinus latteri grows near sea level and exists around the outer parts of the East Asian islands.
Torrey Pine
common name Torrey Pine, Santa Rosa Island Torrey Pine, Del Mar Pine, Soledad Pine | |
botanical name Pinus torreyana | |
water needs Low | |
height 25-60 feet | |
hardiness zones 8-9 |
The Pinus torreyana is native to California’s coastal regions, specifically in Del Mar and Santa Rosa Island. Commonly referred to as the Torrey pine, this species is the rarest pine species in North America, with about 7,000 of them existing in the Soledad Valley and about 2,000 on Santa Rosa Island.
The Torrey Pine has red-brown, purple-red bark, upward-sloping branches, and straight or curved dark green needles in clusters of five needles per cluster. A fully matured Torrey Pine grows to 25 to 60 feet, with its average height typically resting near 40 feet.
This species is vulnerable to threats of air pollution and bark beetles, with its primary threat being its slow regeneration process which has affected this species’ survival in the past.
Turkish Pine
common name Turkish Pine, Calabrian Pine | |
botanical name Pinus brutia | |
water needs Low | |
height 90-115 feet | |
hardiness zones 7-11 |
Pinus brutia has long, stiff needles with branches that spread irregularly from its thinner trunk. During the First World War battle, Australians took brutia’s pinecones from the Gallipoli Peninsula back home to replant. This is also how it received its nickname, the Turkish pine.
The Turkish pine thrives in the semi-arid humidity of the Mediterranean climate. This pine tree can withstand hardy conditions of drought saltwater and may regenerate by itself after a fire.
Since it proliferates, it’s a suitable tree for hydrocarbon farming and timber. In addition, some use the resin from the brutia for wines and medicinal remedies. Pine trees contain turpentine oil, traditionally used in internal and external medicine.
Virginia Pine
common name Virginia Pine, Scrub Pine, Jersey Pine, Spruce Pine, Possum Pine | |
botanical name Pinus virginiana | |
water needs Low | |
height 50-75 feet | |
hardiness zones 3-7 |
Last but not least: the Pinus virginiana. Pinus virginiana is native to the U.S. states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi and exists through human planting in Oklahoma. Commonly referred to as the Virginia pine, this species was once considered a weed plant or forest weed but is now an important species commercially.
The Virginia pine has horizontal branches, a short trunk, and needles in pairs. A fully matured Virginia pine reaches 50 to 75 feet tall and rarely lives past 150 years.
As a resource, this species provides an adequate supply of pulpwood and can aid in rehabilitating mine spoils and other disrupted sites.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, with these 61 different types of pine trees, you’ve seen how truly amazing they are. Each variation of this diverse species has distinct characteristics and personalities, making each uniquely special to its native land.
The various types of pine trees and their uses are something to appreciate. From roasted pine nuts to a Christmas tree or just something to provide shade, there are many reasons to respect and help these trees thrive!