USA Official State Tree of Minnesota

Red Pine

(Pinaceae Pinus resinosa)

Adopted in 1953.

?

The Norway pine, also called the red pine, Pinaceae Pinus resinosa, was adopted in 1953 as Minnesota's state tree.

The Norway Pine is also called the red pine because of its reddish brown bark, stands 60 to 100 feet tall, with a trunk three to five feet wide. Its needles are four to six inches long and grow in pairs.

?

The tallest Norway pine in Minnesota is in Itasca State Park. It is over 300 years old and stands 120 feet high. Red pine is one of the most extensively planted species in the northern United States and Canada. It is a medium-size tree with lightweight, close-grained, pale reddish wood used primarily for timber and pulpwood. Trees 97 cm (38 in) in d.b.h. and 43 m (141 ft) tall in Michigan are among the largest living specimens.

?

?

Description:

• Leaf: Evergreen, 4 to 6 inches long, with two needles per fascicle that snap cleanly when doubled.
• Flower: Monoecious; males almost round, light red, in large clusters at branch tips; females a round, short cone, reddish-brown.
• Fruit: Cones are ovoid, broad near the base and tapering to a point at the tip; 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long. The apophysis is chestnut brown and the umbo is not armed. Maturing August to October.
• Twig: Medium textured, orange-brown in color with orange-brown buds.
• Bark: On young trees, red-brown or pink to gray, flaky. Eventually becoming plated, the plates have scaly surfaces.
• Form: A medium-size tree with an ovoid crown and a clear bole. Foliage is tufted, resembling a fox tail.

?

?