Plant DetailShow Menu

Walter's Pine Pinus glabra

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-nus GLAY-bruh
Description

Spruce pine is an evergreen tree in the Pinaceae family that is native from SC south to FL and west to LA. It is often found growing in wetland sites and is different from other pines as it doesn't tend to grow in pine stands. It can grow up to 80 feet tall but is usually 40-50 feet in height. It starts producing cones at 10 years of age.

Spruce pine has a beautiful oval-rounded crown with dark green needles.  The trunk can be straight but is often bent and twisted if growing in the understory.   It will grow in a variety of locations with the exception of areas with fine soils and needs consistent moist to wet soils The seed cones persist on the tree for 2-3 years, providing food for wildlife.

Use this tree in moist to wet sites as along streams or ponds. It makes a good windbreak and provides shade. This variety of pine is also used as a Christmas tree. 

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree is susceptible to wind damage.  Canker diseases may occasionally cause dieback.  Infected branches can be pruned.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#conifer#bonsai#windbreak#deer resistant#nighttime garden#picturesque#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shade tree#conifer#bonsai#windbreak#deer resistant#nighttime garden#picturesque#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#wind damage prone#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinus
    Species:
    glabra
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used as bonsai and christmas tree
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast USA
    Distribution:
    Southern SC west to southern LA to northern FL
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high 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. Squirrels and other mammals eat the seeds along with the Northern bobwhite.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 80 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:
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Seed cones are 2.5-5 inches long, are brown at maturity and persist on the tree 2-3 years. Pollen cones are purplish brown, occur in clusters at the end of twigs and are higher on the tree than the seed cones
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    2 to 4 in. slightly twisted, dark green needles in bundles of 2 per fascicle
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Greyish brown bark, becoming dark reddish brown and scaly with maturity.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slender, smooth, colored purple-red to red-brown. Turn gray with age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer