Pine, Shortleaf, Bare Root

Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)

A tall native pine for open woodland restoration and large, sunny landscapes. Evergreen foliage and seed-bearing cones provide different resources from a deciduous canopy.

Key Characteristics

An eastern pine elfin host

Eastern pine elfin and imperial moth larvae use shortleaf pine. Keep some healthy needle feeding as part of the habitat role.

Seeds and winter cover

Birds, squirrels, and other small mammals eat the seeds. Evergreen branches provide shelter after surrounding hardwoods lose their leaves.

Build an open woodland

Use it with suitable native hardwoods and ground-layer plants where the site has space. Choose drainage and sunlight rather than a wet planting basin.

Product Details

• Native range: Southeastern and south-central United States
• Life cycle: Evergreen woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Dry; Medium-Dry; Medium
• Mature height: 80–100 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Pollen/cone season: March–April–May
• Pollen/cone colors: Yellow, Pink, Purple
• USDA hardiness zones: 6–9
• Fruit or seed: Small woody cones release winged seeds used by wildlife.
• Pollination: Wind-pollinated; no named pollination partner is required for landscape use.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting and spread roots without bending them into a tight hole. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when needed.

Protect roots and inspect declining growth for beetles or disease. Space trees for their eventual crowns. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. These are seedlings rather than selected clones, so growth, flowering, and fruiting vary.