Small in stature and long-lived, Pinus pungens (Table Mountain Pine) is an evergreen conifer with a straight to crooked trunk, up to 24 in. in diameter (60 cm), and a rounded, irregular crown of sturdy, horizontal branches. The foliage of short, stout, yellow-green to mid-green needles, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), is arranged in feathery tufts of 2-3. Borne in clusters along the branches, its ovoid, pale pinkish to yellowish buff seed cones are very short-stalked and noted for their scales bearing a stout, sharp spine. The dark brown bark is broken by fissures into irregular plates and is nearly smooth to flaky. Native to the central Appalachian Mountains of the United States, Table Mountain Pine occurs at elevations of 1,500 to 4,300 feet (500 - 1,350 m) above sea level, preferring to grow in dry, mostly sandy or shaly uplands. Table Mountain Pine makes a wonderful specimen plant and is an excellent tree for wildlife, attracting birds, butterflies, moths, and small mammals.

• Grows up to 20-40 ft. tall and wide (6-12 m) at maturity. Adds 12 in. per year (30 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in dry to medium moisture, acidic, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• Keep an eye out for aphids and armillaria. Deer resistant.
• No pruning required.
• Table Mountain pine is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States.