Pine Tree Types in Ohio

What are the Common Pine Tree Species in Ohio?

Ohio is home to a diverse array of pine tree species, each with its unique characteristics and growth requirements. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the common pine tree types found in the state:

1. Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
2. Average height: 50 feet tall by 30 feet wide under Ohio conditions.

3. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

4. Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)

5. Average height: 50-60 feet tall.

6. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

7. Bishop Pine (Pinus muricata)

8. Average height: 40-50 feet tall.

9. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

10. Henry’s Pine (Pinus henryi)

11. Average height: 75-98 feet tall.

12. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

13. Herrera Pine (Pinus herrerae)

14. Average height: 80-120 feet tall.

15. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

16. Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

17. Average height: 75-200 feet tall.

18. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

19. Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)

20. Average height: 35-65 feet tall.

21. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

22. Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)

23. Average height: 35-65 feet tall.

24. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

25. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

26. Average height: 80-120 feet tall.
27. Typical diameter at breast height (DBH): Not specified.

How to Identify Different Pine Tree Species in Ohio?

Distinguishing between the various pine tree species in Ohio can be done by examining the following characteristics:

Leaf Shape and Needle Arrangement

• Loblolly Pine: Needles are 3-9 inches long, usually in bundles of three, and are medium green in summer and dark green or yellow-green in winter.
• Austrian Pine: Needles are dark green, extending horizontally and up from the trunk.
• Bishop Pine: Needles are in grouped pairs, upward curving, and dark gray bark.
• Henry’s Pine: Needles are yellow-green, in bunches of three, and the tree grows vertically.
• Herrera Pine: Needles are yellow-green, in bunches of three, and the tree has thick red-brown bark.
• Red Pine: Needles are dark green, in bundles of two, and the tree has red bark.
• Shortleaf Pine: Needles are short, twisted, and less than 3 inches long, in bundles of two.
• Virginia Pine: Needles are short, twisted, and less than 3 inches long, in bundles of two.
• Eastern White Pine: Needles are soft, thin, blue-green, and in unique bundles of five.

Bark Texture

• Loblolly Pine: Young bark is scaly gray, with an orange-red interior bark; mature bark has moderately deep furrows and scaly plates or rounded ridges.
• Austrian Pine: Bark darkens with age.
• Bishop Pine: Dark gray bark.
• Henry’s Pine: Not specified.
• Herrera Pine: Thick red-brown bark.
• Red Pine: Red bark.
• Shortleaf Pine: Thin and relatively smooth young bark becomes very scaly or plated with age, reddish-brown color.
• Virginia Pine: Thin and relatively smooth young bark becomes very scaly or plated with age, reddish-brown color.
• Eastern White Pine: Gray-green, smooth when young, then develops dark gray or brown ridges and furrows.

Cone Characteristics

• Loblolly Pine: Cones are 3-6 inches long, with sharp prickles on the backside of their scales.
• Austrian Pine: Not specified.
• Bishop Pine: Not specified.
• Henry’s Pine: Not specified.
• Herrera Pine: Oval-shaped cones with sharp prickles on the backside of their scales.
• Red Pine: Not specified.
• Shortleaf Pine: Cones are about 2 inches long, dark, reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and lustrous with sharp prickles on the backside of their scales.
• Virginia Pine: Cones are about 2 inches long, dark, reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and lustrous with sharp prickles on the backside of their scales.
• Eastern White Pine: Cones are 6 inches long, elongated.

What Growth Conditions are Required for Loblolly Pine Trees in Ohio?

Loblolly Pine, one of the common pine tree species in Ohio, has specific growth requirements:

1. Soil Type

2. Loblolly Pine grows best in moist, moderately-drained soils that are acidic and deep.

3. Moisture Levels

4. Loblolly Pine tolerates relatively dry soils, as well as those that are permanently moist.

5. Sunlight Requirements

6. Loblolly Pine thrives in full sun.

7. Temperature Ranges

8. Loblolly Pine grows in zones 6 (or southern regions of zone 5) to zone 9, making it suitable for the warmer areas of southern Ohio.

Reference

1. Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Loblolly Pine:
   https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/needle-like-leaves/loblolly-pine-pinus-taeda

2. Ohio Plants – Conifers:
   https://ohioplants.org/conifers/

3. Epic Gardening – Types of Pine Trees:
   https://www.epicgardening.com/types-of-pine-trees/