Shortleaf pine

Shortleaf pine or Southern yellow pine (Pinus echinata) is a type of pine tree native to the Southeastern United States. In the forest, the tree can reach 100 feet tall with trunks 36 inches in diameter if allowed to reach old age (400+ years). with well-spaced branches and a broad crown.

The tree is characterized by its short, straight needles in paired bunches. The small cones grow close to their twigs and open widely with thin scales. The bark is a reddish brown, broken into large irregular plates with resin pockets between them.

Shortleaf pine has long been a commercial staple for construction lumber. Commercial pine forests are now often replanted with faster-growing Slash pine and Loblolly pine, with which the Shortleaf sometimes hybridizes. Many species are sold interchangeably as "Southern yellow pine" for lumber.

The tree is very common in all types of soils and aggressively reclaims cleared areas, but is also tolerant of shade in mixed forests.

References

• Kirkman, L. Katherine, Claude L. Brown & Donald J. Leopold (2007) Native Trees of the Southeast. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press ISBN 9780881928280
• Pinus echinata (April 29, 2010) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed May 9, 2010