100-130' or more. The largest northeastern conifer.
Magnificent and massive when mature. Smooth greyish-green bark becomes thick, rough and deeply furrowed with age. A cup of pine needle tea has more vitamin C than a cup of orange juice; Native Americans showed early white explorers how to brew it and stave off scurvy. The resin has numerous practical and medicinal applications.
Excellent wood with a thousand uses. When grown in abandoned fields, “wolf pines” develop huge curving branches. Grown in the forest it will typically be “clear” (no lateral branches) for the first 30-80'. Planted thickly and sheared, it makes a beautiful hedge that won’t drop its lower branches.
Likes ordinary to poor—even sandy—soil. Shade tolerant, but does not like salt or roadsides. Fast growing. Native to eastern U.S. Z3. (12-16" bare-root transplants)