Pinus banksiana
,
Coniferous
Origin:
Native to Canada and Great Lakes region of US.
Jack pine is a scrubby, northern pine native to much of Canada and south to the Great Lakes and northern New England. It grows further
north in Canada than any other native pine. It is extremely cold hardy and drought tolerant and has been used in shelterbelts and
conservation plantings in Nebraska where little else will grow.
Where To Grow
Jack pine is usually found on sandy or rocky soils. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It can be used in screens and
shelterbelts and is sometimes used as a landscape tree. It’s scraggly appearance, however, makes it hard to love.
Suitable to plant west of the 100th meridian.
Size at Maturity
Tree Height
Tree Spread
30-40''
20-30'
Wildlife Benefits
White-tailed deer browse saplings and young trees and snowshoe hares feed on young seedlings. Porcupines feed on bark that often leads to
deformed trees. Red squirrels, chipmunks, mice, goldfinches, and robins consume seeds. The sole breeding grounds for the rare
Kirtland’s warbler are certain dense tracts of young jack pines (less than 20’ tall) in northern Michigan
Utilization
Jack pine is an important timber species in Canada and the Lake States of the US. Trees produce pulpwood, lumber for construction,
telephone poles, fence posts, mine timbers, and railroad ties. Jack pine is sometimes used as Christmas trees and also for stabilization
of watersheds.
Additional Considerations
In cool summer climates, healthy, well-maintained trees usually have few major problems. However, Jack Pine often struggles in the heat
and humidity of the eastern Great Plains.
Interesting Facts
A mature stand of jack pine may have as many as 2 million seeds per acre stored in unopened cones. The serotinous cones are sealed closed
with a resinous bond that requires fire to open and liberate the seeds.
Additional Images
