Shortleaf Pine
Pinus echinata 
Shortleaf pine is Missouri's only native pine. The shortleaf pine forests of southeast Missouri lured eastern lumbermen to our state at the turn of the century. It grows very well on the dry, upland sites in the Ozark region. Shortleaf pine is one of the few pines which will resprout if the top is damaged. Special notes: should be planted only south of the Missouri River on acid soils.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 90 ft
- Spread
- 60 ft
- Leaves
- needles, 3" - 5" long, in bundles of two or sometimes three; dark yellow-green, slender, flexible
- Fruit
- cone, 1 l/2" - 2 l/2" long
- Bark
- rough and scaly on young trees; older bark reddish brown, broken into irregular flat plates.
- Associated species
- black oak, scarlet oak, post oak, blackjack oak, hickory, dogwood
- Ideal site conditions
- dry soil, full sun
- Value to man
- landscaping,wood products, windbreaks
- Value to wildlife
- cover
- Growth rate
- fast
- Range
