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Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine)

Jack Pine, Gray Pine, Scrub Pine, Pinus divaricata

Pinus banksiana, Jack Pine, Evergreen Conifer, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree,

Noted for its hardiness and ability to grow in poor soils, Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine) is usually a small to medium-sized, evergreen conifer of scrubby habit, adorned with a crooked trunk and an irregular crown. Its thick, twisted, slightly olive green needles are borne in pairs. Curved at the tip, the cones are light brown, turning gray with age, and can remain on the plants for many years and never open since sealed with resin. They open when exposed to intense heat, such as a fire, to reseed the burnt ground. The bark is orange to reddish-brown and develops irregular fissuring with age. A tough tree, tremendously cold-tolerant, that is adaptable to dry or sandy sites where it can be used for windbreaks or mass planting.

  • Grows up to 35-50 ft. tall (10-15 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
  • Performs best in full sun in sandy loam, well-drained soils. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. Best in cool summer and cold winter areas. Tolerates a wide variety of soils.
  • Easy to grow, easy to care for, and rarely browsed by deer.
  • No pruning is required.
  • Native to North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Pinaceae
Genus Pinus
Common names Pine, Jack Pine
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 35' - 50'
(10.7m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Pinus eldarica (Afghan Pine)
Pinus edulis (Pinyon Pine)
Pinus strobus ‘Contorta’ (Eastern White Pine)
Pinus sabiniana (California Foothill Pine)
Pinus pungens (Table Mountain Pine)
Pinus rigida (Pitch Pine)

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Native Plant Alternatives to Pinus sylvestris (Scotch Pine)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Pinaceae
Genus Pinus
Common names Pine, Jack Pine
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 35' - 50'
(10.7m - 15.2m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Pinus (Pine)
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