Trees

Pinus resinosa

Red pine

Mature red pine at Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Photo: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 US. photograph, not current inventory.

Red pine is an evergreen tree with long needles held in pairs and a broad pyramidal crown. Strong spreading branches may become somewhat pendulous, while the red-brown bark develops shallow fissures and scales. Native to northeastern North America, it is a hardy tree for larger compositions where its open branching and textured trunk have room to mature.

At a glance

Sun: Sun to partial shade
Size: Height: 50–80 ft (typical landscape range) · Width: 20–30 ft
Water: Moderate moisture; well-drained sandy soil
Hardiness: USDA zones 3–7

Sizes & prices

#2Red Pine Bonsai Starter$24.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Landscape use & tree form

Form: Broad pyramidal crown with spreading branches
Growth rate: Moderate to fast, depending on site
Use: Windbreak; erosion control; large landscape or park specimen.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Listed among plants less favored by deer; not deer-proof.
Drought: Tolerates drought after establishment.
Wet soil: Good drainage is important; avoid waterlogged sites.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Native range

Native range / parentage: Native to northeastern North America

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Evergreen; long paired needles
Cones: Light-brown cones about 2–3 in long.

Growing & care

Pruning: Little routine pruning is needed. For a denser outline, shorten soft new candles before they harden in early summer; do not cut back into bare, needleless wood.
Soil: Acidic, sandy, well-drained soil; adapts to dry sites.
Issues: Needle cast, Scleroderris canker, root rot, sawflies and borers can be serious. Morton advises against planting this species in the Midwest because of pest and disease susceptibility.

Sources & photo credits

Oregon State University

University of Minnesota Extension

University of Minnesota

www.udel.edu

nursery.iowadnr.gov

The Morton Arboretum

Missouri Botanical Garden

Photo: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service · CC BY 3.0 US

Image notes: Mature red pine at Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Photo: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 US. Wikimedia 960 px thumbnail; no other edits. photograph, not current inventory.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.