The red pine's branches begin 2/3 of the way up the trunk.
The Minnesota legislature officially adopted the red pine (Pinus resinosa) as the state tree in 1953. Although far less abundant than they were before Minnesota's settlement, red pines still cover many thousands of acres in the state. Does this Spark an idea?
Description
The red pine takes its name from its reddish bark and pale red wood. Branches with glossy green needles appear only on the top third of the tree's straight trunk, which can reach 80 feet.
Growth
Red pines grow about a foot a year for their first 50 years, slowing thereafter. They do not produce cones until they are 15 to 25 years old.
Habitat
The red pine grows best in well-drained, sandy soil. In Minnesota, red pines appear mostly in the coniferous forest biome in the northeastern portion of the state.
Uses
Small red pines make popular Christmas trees. Uses for mature trees include erosion control and structural timber, according to Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources.
Names
Although the red pine is native to North America, many people (particularly in Minnesota) refer to it as the Norway pine, probably because early explorers confused it with the Norway spruce, according to the University of Texas Native Plant Database.
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