Red pine is an important timber and pulp tree in Ontario. This conifer has needles in bunches of two, similar to Jack Pine and the non-native Scots pine. The needles are easily identifiable because they are very long (10-16cm) and brittle – if you bend a needle it will snap in half! Many songbirds love the seeds of the red pine, which drop every fall, as do squirrels, mice, and chipmunks.  Red pine is often used for windbreaks, as its deep roots help it to hold on in strong winds.

Red pine is Ontario’s only native pine with bunches of two very long needles. Photo by Chris Earley.

Red pine bark has a reddish tinge with broad scales. Photo by Chris Earley.

Red Pine cones. Photo by Chris Earley.

Ontario Tree Atlas map of non-planted Red Pine. 1995-1999.

Return to tree listing page [1]

References

Farrar, J.L.. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. Toronto. ON. 504 pp.  

Kershaw, L. 2001. Trees in Ontario: Including tall shrubs. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. AB. 240 pp

Muma, W. 2011. Ontario Trees and Shrubs. [Online] Available: www.ontariotrees.com

OMNR, 2011. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Ontario Tree Atlas. [Online] Available: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ClimateChange/2ColumnSubPage/267027.html

OMNR, 2008. Ontario’s Biodiversity: Species at Risk.