Red Pine
Pinus resinosa
Red Pine is a tall, straight North American conifer prized for timber, recognizable by its reddish, scaly bark and long needles borne in pairs.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Drought tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) is a medium-to-large evergreen conifer native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Despite the common name "Norway Pine" used in Minnesota (its state tree), it is not from Norway and is entirely a North American species.
It is valued for reforestation, windbreaks, and timber, growing 65–115 ft tall with a notably straight, clean trunk. Mature trees develop a characteristic flaky, reddish-orange bark that helps distinguish it from neighboring pines.
How to identify it
- Needles: Slender, 4–6 in long, in bundles of two; they snap cleanly when bent, a reliable field test.
- Bark: Reddish-brown to orange, breaking into flat, scaly plates on mature trunks.
- Cones: Egg-shaped, about 1.5–2.5 in, light brown, with no prickle on the scales.
- Habit: Tall and straight with an oval-to-rounded crown high on the trunk.
- Size: Typically 65–115 ft tall.
Care & growing
Red Pine thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy or acidic soils, tolerating poor and dry sites that defeat many trees.
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; water young transplants their first seasons.
- Soil: Prefers acidic, sandy loam; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground.
- Temperature: Very cold hardy (USDA zones 2–5).
- Feeding: Rarely needed in landscape settings.
- Propagation: Grown from seed, often after cold stratification.
Habitat & origin
Native to the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada, from Newfoundland west to Manitoba and south into the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions.
It naturally colonizes sandy soils, dry ridges, and burned-over areas, often forming pure stands. It is widely planted in plantations and shelterbelts across the upper Midwest and Northeast.
Frequently asked questions
Is Red Pine the same as Norway Pine?
Yes. "Norway Pine" is a regional name, but the tree is native to North America, not Norway.
How can I tell Red Pine from other pines?
Its needles come in twos and snap cleanly when bent, and the bark is distinctly reddish and scaly.
How fast does Red Pine grow?
It is a moderate grower, adding roughly 1–2 ft per year in good conditions.
Is Red Pine good for poor soil?
Yes, it excels on dry, sandy, acidic sites where many trees struggle.
Red Pine guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Red Pine.
