Jack Pine Pinus banksiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-nus banks-ee-AH-nah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- banksiana
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern North America
- Distribution:
- Canada and USA (Great Lakes and Northeastern regions)
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
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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.
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- Develops irregular fissuring with age
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Single Stem, rough, scaly
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
