Height: A relatively small tree; most specimens are between 20 and 60 feet tall

Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen   

Lifespan: Short-lived; typically, 40 to 60 years and rarely exceeding 100   

Fall Foliage: Green  

Range: Primarily limited to the Appalachian Mountains and the surrounding piedmont, but it is also planted in a variety of places outside its natural range  

Typical Habitat: Most commonly encountered on relatively poor sites, such as rock outcrops and disturbed areas, but it sometimes forms a significant part of the forest understory  

The Virginia Pine Tree: Live Fast and Leave a Gnarly Corpse   

In keeping with its tendency to grow in rugged environments, the Virginia pine often exhibits a similarly rugged growth habit.

Often twisted, gnarled and bereft of a central leader like many of the pines it lives alongside, this species carves out a different sort of existence than the loblolly (Pinus taped) and shortleaf pines (Pinus echinata), which share much of its range.

And though the tree rapidly colonizes disturbed areas and grows somewhat quickly, it rarely lives very long. Yet once it dies, it often remains standing for some time, posing as a mangled corpse against the sky.

Virginia Pine Tree Identification: Tips & Tricks

The Virginia pine has some of the shortest needles of any pine (less than 3 inches long), which generally makes it easy to identify. You can also learn to spot its peculiar and less-than-appealing growth habit, as well as its tendency to retain lower branches, unlike many of the other pines found within its range, which self-prune.  

The Virginia Pine: Additional Information

If we’ve sparked your curiosity and you need to know more about these interesting trees, check out the following resources:

• Conifers.org: A comprehensive guide to the Virginia pine, including information about the oldest and individuals on record.  
• North Carolina State Extension: Basic information about the Virginia pine, along with several identification tips.
• U.S. Forest Service: In-depth information about this species, including fire ecology and detailed growth data.