Create Your Garden

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, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, West Virginia
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Pinus (Pine)
Not sure which Pinus (Pine) to pick?
Compare Now

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)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Popular Pine Trees for Small Gardens
Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
Small Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Appeal
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.
Buy Plants

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, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, West Virginia
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Pinus (Pine)
Not sure which Pinus (Pine) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone