Description
Pinus resinosa (Red Pine) Seeds
Zones: 2 to 5.
Native to North America.
The Red pine is a conical evergreen conifer with horizontal to ascending branching and an oval to rounded crown. It is used extensively for lumber and planted for shelterbelts.
It has sharply-pointed, yellow-green to dark green needles 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long in bundles of two; needles can snap when bent. Egg-shaped seed cones 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) long, mature to chestnut brown in the second year. The trunk bark on young trees can be red-brown or pink to grey, but eventually develops a plated texture in mature trees.
The Red pine prefers full sun and does not tolerate shade. It does well on a variety of soils, but prefers average to moist sandy loam. Like the Eastern White pine it can be a long-lived tree. It thrives in environments with cool summers and cold winters. In Canada it is native from Newfoundland to Manitoba and in the United States it is native to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York states.
Size: Height 50 to 80 ft; Width 20 to 25 ft.
Germination Instructions
Stratification: Red pine seeds do not require cold stratification; soak seeds in water for 24 hours. Sow 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly.
