What Types of Pine Trees are in Illinois?
The state of Illinois has a total of 142 state parks and natural areas, with two separate national forests making it the home to a wide variety of different trees. According to Trees For Me, despite only 19% of the original forest remaining, the state preserves a wide variety of Illinois’ ecosystems and tree species, including oak, sycamore, sweetgum, American elm, holly, American beech, and most significantly, the pine tree.”
In Illinois, different types of pine trees are spread across the landscape, giving the state an artistic appeal. Pines are evergreen, coniferous trees that are native to most countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientifically, Pines belong to the family Pinaceae and genus Pinus. They are also resinous trees closely related to other conifer tree varieties such as spruces, fir trees, and cedars.
Characteristics of Pine Trees
They are softwood coniferous trees with a fast-growing rate, capable of growing in temperate and semi-tropical areas. Most species of pines are identifiable by their long needles and cones that bear seeds. Timber extracted from pine is valued commercially across the globe as its dense softwood is commonly utilized in building various things such as panels, floorings, and furniture, not forgetting that its resin is a good source of turpentine.
According to experts, pine trees have a very long life span, with some living up to 2,000 years or longer if left undisturbed. The oldest known pine tree, Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva), was almost 5,000 years old when it was cut down. It is interesting how long these trees can live. It also explains why they are commercially valued worldwide, meaning our great-grandparents found these trees growing, and we here are still exploiting them. Below are the main characteristics of pine trees:
- Leaves: The leaves of pines have four developmental stages. They begin as seed leaves on new trees, then into juvenile spirally arranged leaves measuring 2-6 cm long. They then develop into scale leaves that do not photosynthesize until later.
- Height: Pine trees’ height varies as they can be anywhere from 30 feet to over 260 feet tall. Most have pyramidal canopies that might be 20-40 feet wide.
- Cones: Pine cones are one of the essential characteristics of pine trees. Most are monoecious, meaning they will have male and female cones. The size of male cones is usually small, with yellowish pollen, and grows in clusters. On the other hand, female pine cones are large, brown pyramidal, and contain seeds.
- Bark: The appearance of the bark will differ between species as it tends to be thick and scaly in most species, while in some, they have thin flaky bark. For instance, the red pine has reddish-brown bark with flat plates, while the eastern white pine has grayish-brown bark with thick ridges and furrows.
Types of Pine Trees Common In Illinois
Different varieties of pines are adapted to growing in distinct environments, including hot sandy beaches, rain forests, and North American regions. These pine trees play a significant role in the environment and human life as they are known to be among the best wood resources. As such, it is essential for us to understand the types of pine trees in Illinois.
1. Let’s Begin With the Tree Used For Highly Ornamental Work, the Table Mountain Pine
Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens), also known as prickly or hickory pine, is a white pine tree commonly grown in the Appalachian area of America. A mature table mountain pine tree grows to a height of 40 feet to the maximum while its needles grow in bundles of two.
It has short stalks supporting the seedless cones. Its color ranges from yellow to pale pink. It does well in dry environments with rocks, so it’s commonly found in slopey and rocky terrain.
2. Need Timber For Your Construction Site? Pitch Pine Got You Covered
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) is a common pine tree variety easily found in the Northeastern parts of the United States. It can grow to heights of between 20 to 100 feet, making it distinct from other types of pine trees.
The needles of Pitch Pine grow in bundles of three and grow faster during the initial years of development. The branches of this tree are irregular in shape and have twisted branches, thus limiting its wood utilization. However, it has found its use in building railroad ties and ship-building despite lacking use in construction projects.
3. Pitlolly Pine Hybrid For Soil Erosion Control
The Pitlolly Pine Hybrid (Pinus rigida X taeda) is characterized by shiny, glossy, and gorgeous foliage as it is a hybrid. This fascinating aspect of being a hybrid gives the trees the ability to grow fast and maintain sturdiness.
It is of average height as it does not grow more than 40 feet high, but this doesn’t erase the fact that it’s an elegant-looking tree. Finally, the tree is easy to grow as it thrives well in almost all types of soils regardless of soil conditions, even where there is poor soil. That said, we now know why the tree is common in most parts of Illinois.
4. Get In The Merry Christmas Mood With The Virginia Pine
Also known as scrub or Jersey pine, the Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) is one of the smallest pine trees, growing to no more than 60 feet high. The height aside, it also presents short yellow-green leaves, a common characteristic that distinguishes this pine from the rest.
Virginia Pine is commonly used in lumbering and wood pulp. It plays a significant role in the environment as it offers nourishment to wildlife. Last but not least, it is the common type of tree you would find on a Christmas tree farm.
5. Nothing Good Can Come Out Of Poor Soil? Meet The Shortleaf Pine
The Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata mill) is commonly found in the eastern side of the United States, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, and parts of the Southwest. This tree can grow to a height of 100 feet high with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
It is a variety that grows in all types of soil conditions. So, if you consider the soil around your farm to be poor, this is the best choice of tree to grow. One of the fascinating facts about the shortleaf pine is that it has irregular and oddly shaped trunks.
Nonetheless, this tree is still exploited for plywood veneer, wood pulp, and lumber. The tree has cones that measure 3-inches long with very short prickles.
6. Eastern White Pine: The Tree That Reaches For The Sky
The Eastern White pine (Pinus strobus l.) is a type of pine characterized by needles regrowing every summer. The seed cones of this tree are long and slender. While most of them grow to a maximum of 180 feet and below, some Eastern White Pine trees have been recorded growing to heights of 230 feet but on rare occasions.
This is a tall, stylish tree that easily demands consideration. Eastern White pine has quite a variety of uses as it is used in barns, different construction projects, and furniture. Being a versatile wood acquires more uses than common ones as it is utilized in some artwork.
7. Last But Not Least, The Very Endangered Red Pine
The Red pine (Pinus resinosa aiton) grows to a height of between 120 to 140 feet, although most tend to be around 120 feet with diameters of up to 3 feet. The barks of these trees tend to change color based on the part of the trunk that you are looking at. The standard colors range from grayish-brown to bright orange-red.
It grows needles in groups of two which are yellowish-green in color. They have a 60-70 years lifespan, although they can live up to 350 years. In natural areas, this variety of tree is rare in Illinois, which made the state list it as endangered as it is currently found only in 3 counties. It is common in the north and northeast sides of the state.
How Can You Identify a Pine Tree?
Pine trees are identified by their seed-bearing cones, gray or reddish-brown bark, and not forgetting their needle-like leaves. You can also identify pines by the egg-shaped cones hanging down from their branches. If a tree has twigs that bear needles in clusters of two, three, or five and has all of the characteristics mentioned earlier, you can safely call it a pine.
Are Pine Tree Species Native to the United States?
Yes. There are 36 pine tree species native to the U.S., with some species found in Illinois. Some of the species in Illinois are either native or none native; nevertheless, they have continued to play a significant role in the environment.
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