hard pine, yellow pine Pinus rigida Miller |
| Pitch pine is found on dry ridges and slopes, in the northeastern section of the state and on Long Island, and infrequently elsewhere. The wood is coarse-grained and brownish red in color. The tree seldom reaches a large size and the lumber is generally knotty. Its chief uses are for rough framing lumber, ties, mine props, and crates. |
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| Bark- early
becomes very rough and is of a reddish brown to a very dark brown color, with age becoming
deeply furrowed into broad, flat-topped ridges separating on the surface into loose, dark
reddish brown scales. The unusual thickness of the bark makes it the most fire-resistant
tree in the state. Clusters of needles are very commonly found on the main trunk. Twigs - coarse, brittle, golden-brown in color. Winter buds - conspicuous, pointed, reddish brown in color, resin coated. Leaves - needle-like, in clusters of 3, 3 to 5 inches long, yellowish green in color, very stiff, staying on twigs 2 to 3 years. Fruit - a cone, 2 to 3 inches long, somewhat egg-shaped, without stem, requiring 2 years to mature; persists on tree for many years. Cone scales - each carries a stiff recurved prickle. Seeds - 2 under each scale, dark brown in color, ripening in September. Distinguishing features - needles in 3's; sharp prickles on tip of cone scale.
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