Pitch Pine
Pinus rigida – North American Native Plant
Common Names:Â Black Pine, Hard Pine, Northern Pitch Pine, Torch Pine, Yellow Pine
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Coniferous Evergreen Tree – North American Native Plant
Height at Maturity:Â 30-50’+
Width at Maturity:Â 20-30’+
Spacing:Â Â 20′ for hedge or screen; 40’+ for space between trees
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright, Irregular, Open
Growth Rate:Â Average, 1′ per year when young. slowing with age
Flower Color:Â Golden Green or Reddish
Flower Size:Â Â 3-6″ candles
Flowering Period:Â Spring
Flower Type:Â Candle
Fragrant Flowers:Â Â No
Foliage Color:Â Green
Fragrant Foliage:Â Yes, pine scented
Berries/Cones:Â Â Yes
Berry Color:Â Brown
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun or Part Shade; fuller with more sun
Water Needs:Â Â Low (when established)
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Moist But Well-Drained to Dry when established
Soil pH:Â 5.0 – 7.0 (Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care:Â Very Low
Attracts:Â Birds, Imperial Moths, Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Cold Temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Insect, Poor Soil, Salt
Description
Highly adaptable and easy to grow, the Pitch Pine is a North American native admired for its broad irregular form with horizontal, twisting, somewhat drooping branches clothed in tufts of dark green needles, and its scaly, reddish-brown bark which becomes black with age. With an artistic eye and some selective pruning, one can create unique and interesting pom-pom forms. Whether grown naturally or pruned to topiary form, the Pitch Pine serves as an eye-catching specimen or grouping in the landscape or rock and Asian gardens. Highly adaptable, it thrives in full sun or part shade and tolerates a wide range of soil including sandy, rocky, poor soils. You might be happy to know it’s deer resistant and also drought and salt tolerant.Â
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 30 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide over time, the Pitch Pine is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or in groupings in the sunny landscape. It is a fine addition to conifer gardens, rock gardens, Asian gardens and the Xeriscape (low water needs).
Suggested Spacing:Â Â 20′ for hedge or privacy; 40’+ for space between trees
Growing Preferences
Though drought tolerant when established, the Pitch Pine grows best in a moist but well-drained soil of average to low fertility, even thriving in sandy, rocky poor soils. It will tolerate some shade but grows and looks its fullest and best in full to mostly sun. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Beware a constantly soggy or wet soil can cause problems with the roots. Does not require pruning however can be trimmed annually in late winter to maintain a smaller plant or for very interesting topiary forms.
Helpful Articles
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