Red Pine
Pinus resinosa

It’s unfortunate that a lot of homeowners don’t put more than a moment’s thought into the evergreens they place in their landscapes. The average homeowner has little appreciation of the fact that there are literally dozens of species of pine trees, each with its own attributes, merits and limitations. Frankly, most couldn’t tell a pine tree from a spruce or a fir, which are entirely different species! Fellow Northscapers, it’s time for this to change!

The most common pine trees found in northern landscapes are Scotch pines, white pines or ponderosa pines, with regional variations (more white in the East, more ponderosa in the West, and Scotch pines throughout). One of the lesser-known but nonetheless worthy landscape pines is the red pine, a native of the northern boreal forests extending from Minnesota and Manitoba east to the Atlantic coast. It is hardy as nails, and aside from a few cultural preferences, is easy to grow.

When you really start examining the differences between the many species of pine trees, their unique characteristics become apparent. Red pines are best described as large and bushy trees, with long dark green needles like the ponderosa pines, but much denser than most other landscape pines. They are graceful yet formidable in appearance, and are one of the best trees available for livening up a somber and desolate white winter landscape.

The key to successfully growing red pines lies primarily in the soil. They require sandy or gravely, light, extremely well-drained acidic soils. Heavy, wet clay soils will pretty much ensure their demise. They appreciate even moisture, but are quite tolerant of drought and exposure once established, even becoming good windbreaks. When given lots of room to spread, they attain a majestic stature, towering into the sky and spreading their branches wide. They can cast a dense shade, and their fallen needles will eventually acidify the soils underneath.

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