December Tree of the Month-Shortleaf Pine

The pines have held an esteemed place throughout history, especially in the US, where they were-and still are-valued for lumber. We only have one native pine in Missouri, Pinus echinata, commonly known as shortleaf pine, which tolerates our crazy weather swings year-round when other natives check out and spend winter bare and dormant. Shortleaf pines can grow quickly when young, up to a foot a year. Once mature, it achieves a pyramidal-shaped canopy 50 to 60’ high.

Native from New York to Florida and west to Missouri, it prefers full sun and well-drained soils. If you find one in the wild, please leave it. These pines are known for sending out deep tap roots, and transplanting one usually ends in failure. Try growing it from collected seed instead.

The best way to ID any pine is by counting the needles in each ‘bundle.’ Short leaf pines are one of the few pines with the occasional three needles per bundle among the bundles of two. 1 ½-2 ½” egg-shaped cones have a flat bottom and like to grow in clusters of 1-3.

What I love about this plant;

-It’s native!

-Seeds are eaten by 26 species of birds and small animals.

-Important lumbar tree

-Used to make turpentine.

What’s not so great;

-Can get large-give it room.

-Hard to find in the trade.

-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.