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Pinus banksiana is often confused with:
Pinus clausa Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Pinus flexilis Tree form (Larimer County, CO)-Early Fall
Pinus glabra Pinus glabra
Pinus heldreichii Pinus heldreichii

Pinus banksiana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus banks-ee-AH-nah
Description

Jack Pine grows in full sun in a variety of soils, including deep sand and other poor soils.  It cannot tolerate shade, the lower branches that are covered with shade will die, but remain on the tree.  It does best in areas with cool summers, it cannot tolerate heat.  May develop needle cast, root rot, and rust.

Its form is pyramidal in youth, but open spreading or flat-topped and shrubby with age.  It has a tremendous cold tolerance.  The needles turn an unattractive yellow-green in winter.   

Its cones, which are covered with a resin, may remain closed for many years until a forest fire burns/kills the tree.  At that time the cones will open, reseeding itself. 

Its shabby appearance does not make Jack Pine an ornamental or specimen choice.

Often damaged or destroyed by fires, the heat from a fire will open the cones, releasing seeds that will germinate.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#wildlife plant#native tree#conifer#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#nesting sites#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#wind damage prone#imperial moth
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#wildlife plant#native tree#conifer#winter interest#deer resistant#nighttime garden#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#nesting sites#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#wind damage prone#imperial moth
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    banksiana
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Nesting site for the endangered Kirtland warbler. Songbirds, game birds and many mammals
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Wind Break
    Dimensions:
    Height: 35 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Pyramidal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous yellow flower. Pointed yellowish-brown cones. Some cones remain closed.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Twisted, stiff olive green needles in bundles of 2, yellow-green in winter
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    Develops irregular fissuring with age
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Single Stem, rough, scaly
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil