Pinus virginiana

Common Names

Virginia Pine, Scrub Pine, Jersey Pine, Spruce Pine, Possum Pine, Poverty Pine

Summary

Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) is a native evergreen conifer of the eastern United States that typically forms a broad, open pyramidal crown when young and becomes scraggier with age; it is distinguished by evergreen needles in pairs, about 1.5–3 inches long and often twisted, and by numerous prickly cones that mature on the tree and can persist on branches for years; bark is reddish-brown and ages to a scaly texture. In cultivation, it prefers full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating poor sites such as clay or sandy loam and often thriving on dry sites; drought-tolerant once established and hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Propagation is by seed. It is used for reforestation and mine-site reclamation, yields pulpwood and lumber, and is occasionally grown as a Christmas tree in the South, while also providing habitat for wildlife.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-40 feet

Spread

10-35 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun; tolerates partial shade with reduced growth.

Soil Type

Well-drained soils, particularly sandy loam or clay soils, with acidic to neutral pH

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils, preferably loamy or sandy loam with neutral to acidic pH; intolerant of wet sites.

Soil pH

4.5-7.5, Acidic to Neutral soils

Bloom Color

Yellow, orange-brown male flowers, pale green female flowers

Bloom Time

Spring (mid-March to late May)

Foliage Color

Green to yellow-green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seed propagation is primary, with some success in rooting cuttings and air layering.

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds