The Shortleaf Pine Tree is a member of the Southern Yellow Pine family of trees and is the most widely seen evergreen in much of the Southeastern U.S. In its natural habitat, it is found in 22 states from the Northeast to the Central Plains and Southeast. The plant is capable of growing in many different types of environments and will tolerate colder soil temperatures than many of the other members of the family.
Shortleaf Pine Tree Can Thrive In Many Soil Types
Shortleaf Pine Trees can grow in a range of soil types and do not produce seeds or fruit until they mature around the age of 12. They are well known for their ability to make an attractive crown at its top that does not make a large amount of width. Its short limbs are topped by attractive cones from spring to early summer. The fruit production is an integral part of making more of them, with the female version of the flower being brown and the male a deeper purple color.
Shortleaf Pine Tree Produces Needles Instead Of Leaves
This evergreen type does not produce leaves but has several flexible pines clustered in two and three from a single sprout. It Is essential for the lumber industry, as it is often characterized as scaly and dark across its trunk when young. As they grow older and mature, they produce a smoother appearance that gives way to yellow-light brown wood beneath when the outer layer is removed. Their ease of growth is one of the main reasons for their success across the southern portions of the U.S.
Shortleaf Pine Tree Facts
Shortleaf Pine Tree Hardy Planting Zones - Six to Eight
Bloom Season - March to April
Bloom Color - Cones in brown and purple
Height at Maturity - 100 feet
Soil Type Preferred - Moist, sandy loams
Sun or Shade - sun to shade