Pinus pungens

Pinus pungens table mountain pine

Evergreen Appalachian endemic pine growing to height of up to 40 feet on mountain slopes and ridgetops in dry, rocky soils. This species is found in the south-eastern & south-central parts of the state in the Appalachian range. It has one straight or multiple crooked trunks and a rounded, irregular crown. The epithet pungens refers to the prickly cones of this species. Some cones open if located on warm southern exposures. When cones open, the winged seeds are released and carried away with the wind. The cones stay on the tree for many years after opening.

Habitat & Range

Grows in dry, rocky soils on slopes and tops of mountain ridges.

Present in the south-east and south-central parts of the state in the Appalachian Mountains.

Wetland Code: Not classified

Characteristics

Tree single or multiple crooked trunks; wide irregular crown of horizontal branches

Needles two needles per cluster; stout, stiff and sightly twisted; blueish-green with white stripes; 1-3 inches long

Twigs stout & brittle, smooth when young & rough-textured at maturity

Bark reddish brown wih thin furrows and small scales

Seed Cones green when young, turning light brown at maturity; in clusters of 3 to 5, often point downward; stalkless & egg-shaped; outer edge has curved spine; contains many windged seeds.

Height 20-40 feet

Fall Color evergreen

Age 300-400 yrs