3 Common Pine Trees In Wisconsin (Photos & Identification)
If you live in Wisconsin and want to plant some permanent native pine trees in your front or backyard for future Christmas decorations, this is the place to be.
In this article, I will walk you through three of the most commonly seen pine trees in Wisconsin with high-quality pictures and detailed descriptions regarding their identification, native habitat, and ranges.
So, let’s get started.
1. Jack Pine
- Common Name: Jack Pine
- Scientific Name: Pinus banksiana
- Mature Height: 50 to 70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Cones
- Uses: Pulpwood, laths, box material, lumber
The Jack Pine is a coniferous tree of the Pine family. This tree can reach heights of 50 to 70 feet and has a diameter that rarely reaches 2 feet.
The Jack Pine is a North American native that is typically found on sandy soils in the state’s northern half, extending downward along the Wisconsin River to Iowa and Grant counties.
The needles of the Jack Pine are about 1 inch long, pale to dark yellow-green, sharply pointed, and come in a twisted bundle of two. The Jack Pine cones are roughly 1.5 inches long, highly curled, brown when ripe, and resinous. The cones mature in approximately 2 years and can linger on branches unopened for many years, holding healthy seeds. Strong gusts can carry these small-winged triangular seeds a long distance.
The Jack Pine is generally one of the first tree species to colonize a place after a fire because of the sticky nature of its cones. The bark of the Jack Pine is dark brown and unevenly split into small scales by furrows. Its wide, conical-shaped crown frequently keeps dead branches to the ground.
Jack Pine wood is light, soft, not particularly strong, fine-grained, clear pale brown, and contains thick, practically white sapwood. It is largely a pulpwood species, but it is also used for laths, box material, and, to a lesser extent, timber.
2. Red Pine
- Common Name: Red Pine, Norway Pine
- Scientific Name: Pinus resinosa
- Mature Height: 80-90 feet, occasionally up to 120 feet tall
- Native/Non-native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Cones
- Uses: Pulpwood, construction lumber, pilings, pressure-treated poles
The stately Red Pine, often known as the Norway Pine, may be found throughout northern Wisconsin. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach heights of 80-90 feet and occasionally even 120 feet. Mature trees’ branches form an open, rounded, and attractive crown.
The bark of the Red Pine grows into huge, reddish-brown plates, making it simple to identify. The needles of the tree grow in clusters of two and are dark green to yellow-green, measuring 4 to 6 inches long.
When doubled between the fingers, they are also brittle and readily shattered. The tree’s cones are around 2 inches long and develop in about 2 years. The cones get a burgundy tint when ripe. The seeds are tiny, dark, or mottled brown, and the wind scatters them extensively due to their winged appearance.
Red pine prefers sandier soils than white pine and requires full sun for optimal growth and development. However, because of its overall resistance to disease and insect attack, it is becoming more popular for forest planting.
Red Pine wood is pale crimson with thin, nearly white sapwood. It’s intermediate hardness and tight grain make it perfect for pulpwood. However, it is becoming more popular for use in building lumber, pilings, and pressure-treated poles.
3. White Pine
- Common Name: White Pine
- Scientific Name: Pinus strobus
- Mature Height: Up to 100 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet in diameter
- Native/Non-Native: Native throughout nearly the entire state of Wisconsin
- Flowers/Cones: 4 to 6 inches long, cylindrical cones
- Uses: Matches, lumber, cabinet, and window making, the interior finish of buildings, and wooden wares.
The White Pine tree is one of Wisconsin’s most magnificent trees. It is a sight to behold with its straight stem, regular pyramidal form, and soft gray-green foliage. The White Pine’s crown is made up of many whorls of horizontal or ascending branches that are plume-like and beautiful in outline.
When fully grown, this tree can reach heights of up to 100 feet and diameters of 2 to 3 feet. Some White Pines can still grow to be up to 150 feet tall and 4 feet in diameter.
Young White Pine tree bark is thin, smooth, resinous, and greenish-gray. However, as the tree ages, the bark thickens, becomes severely fissured, and turns grayish-brown. The White Pine’s leaves are bluish-green and flexible, measuring 3 to 5 inches long. They grow in groups of five, which distinguishes them from other native pines in Wisconsin.
This tree’s cones are 4 to 6 inches long, cylindrical, and slightly bent. They have thin, generally extremely resinous scales with two tiny winged seeds. around the second season, the cones normally mature around August or September.
The white pine tree is native to almost the whole state of Wisconsin. They thrive in sandy soils and on rock ridges but prefer fertile, well-drained soils. White Pine wood is light, delicate, and brittle. It is frequently colored red and is very workable. This wood is processed into matches, lumber, and laths, which are then utilized in construction applications such as cabinet and window fabrication, building interior finishes, and wooden wares.
However, there are some reservations about the White Pine tree. White Pine Blister Rust and White Pine Weevil are still prevalent in the state. White Pine is also extremely vulnerable to air pollution damage. Because of its intermediate shade tolerance, this tree is commonly seen as a transient or intermediate species in forest succession.
Nonetheless, the White Pine remains a dominating species in Wisconsin’s northern dry woods. It is the region’s largest and longest-living species.
Native Pine Trees In Wisconsin – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section answers some of the most commonly asked questions about native pine trees in Wisconsin.
Are there pine trees in Wisconsin?
There are pine trees in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is known for its lush forests, and several pine tree species can be found throughout the state. The pine species that are most prevalent in Wisconsin are jack pine, Norway pine, and white pine. These pine trees help to create beautiful landscapes and are an important part of the state’s natural environment.
Where can you spot the maximum number of pine trees in Wisconsin?
The northernmost part of Wisconsin, particularly the Northwoods region, has the largest concentration of pine trees. The Northwoods is a large area of forested land that stretches across northern Wisconsin. This area is known for its dense forests, which include a large number of pine trees.
The Northwoods are an ideal habitat for pine tree species such as eastern white pine, red pine, jack pine, and white pine due to the combination of suitable climate and soil conditions. Visitors to this area can explore state and national forests, parks, and nature reserves, such as the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, to witness the beauty and abundance of Wisconsin’s pine trees.
What are the uses of pine trees in Wisconsin?
Pine trees have numerous uses and are extremely important in Wisconsin. They contribute to the state’s timber industry by providing valuable lumber for construction and woodworking. Pine trees also provide pulpwood to the thriving pulp and paper industry. They bring joy during the holiday season as popular choices for Christmas trees.
Furthermore, certain pine species improve landscapes and gardens while also providing wildlife habitat. Their extensive root systems help to conserve soil and prevent erosion. Wisconsin’s pine forests provide opportunities for outdoor activities, which supports tourism. Overall, these adaptable trees play critical roles in the state’s economy, environment, and recreational pursuits.
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Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Tree Planting, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Trees Identification, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Forest Trees Of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
- Trees of Wisconsin Field Guide, Book by Stan Tekiela
