Common Name: Shortleaf Pine
Latin Name: Pinus echinata
Address: Greenleaf Park, Rose Hill Drive
GPS Coordinates:38.04942460000001, -78.48206069999999
Short Leaf Pines are few in number now, especially compared to Loblolly. Studies show the Short Leaf has good endurance during ice storms whereas the long needles of Loblolly don’t tolerate ice well.
Short leaf pines are somewhat uncommon in our area. There has been a 53% decline in this species since 1980 due to impacts of farming, development, fire exclusion and extensive logging. It is used for wood pulp, plywood , and veneer lumber. Short leaf pine self prunes its lower branches and grows straight, 1-3 feet a year to over 100 feet during maturity. It favors well drained sandy or silty southern soils and full sun and grows in 23 states.