Pinus rigida aka Northern Pitch Pine

Pinus rigida, or pitch pine, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range lies in eastern North America. It grows in parts of Canada and the northeastern United States. Its range also reaches south to Georgia. In North Carolina, it grows in scattered mountain stands. It often grows on poor, sandy ground. Such sites may fail to support other trees.

Garden trees reach 40–60 feet [12.2–18.3 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 30–50 feet [9.1–15.2 metres]. RHS gives a narrower spread of 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. Young trees have an open, cone-shaped crown. Older trees develop a less even, rounded outline. Thick, twisted branches may droop toward the ground. Growth is moderate and slows as the tree matures. The bark forms thick plates with deep cracks. Sources describe brown, dark grey, or nearly black bark. Short shoots and needle tufts can grow from the trunk.

The stiff needles grow in groups of three. They twist slightly and have fine teeth along their edges. New needles have a yellow cast, then turn dark green. They stay on the tree for about two years. The tree stays green through autumn rather than changing colour. Male and female cones grow on the same tree. NCSU places flowering in May; UConn notes little floral appeal. Brown seed cones grow in groups of three to five. Each scale bears a stiff, curved spine. Cones appear in autumn and can remain for several years.

Pitch pine grows best in full sun and drained soil. It prefers sandy, acid soil but tolerates poor, rocky ground. RHS also accepts clay, loam, chalk, and other soil pH levels. Moist soil suits it, though established trees tolerate drought. It also withstands heat, salt, and damage from deer. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–7 and RHS H7. Seed provides a means of propagation, and routine pruning is unnecessary. UConn warns that garden culture can prove difficult. Other plants can outcompete it on richer sites.

Its open crown adds shape to native gardens and woodland plantings. It can also suit slopes and banks. Imperial moth larvae feed on this tree. People use its wood for lumber and pulp. PFAF records a flavouring made during pulpwood processing. This is not evidence that fresh plant parts are edible. NCSU records past medicinal use of pitch by Native Americans. Wind can damage the tree, and fire can harm it. Roots and stumps can produce new shoots after fire. Pests include adelgids, aphids, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moths. Honey fungus and needle cast can also affect it.