Spruce Pine

(Pinus glabra)

Spruce Pine (Pinus glabra)

Identifying Characters: Spruce Pine is identifiable by its needles in bundles of 2 and its range in the southeastern United States, but its absence in most of Florida.

Similar Species: Spruce Pine is very similar to Table-Mountain Pine and Virginia Pine, but its range does not overlap either of those two species. The range of Spruce Pine narrowly overlaps that of Sand Pine. Sand Pine is a much smaller tree (height 15 to 20 feet for Sand Pine versus 80 to 100 feet for Spruce Pine). In addition the bark of Spruce Pine is dark gray and on upper sections of the trunk is smooth. In contrast the bark of Sand Pine is red to red-brown and divided into plates.

Measurements: Mature individuals 80 to 100 feet in height; diameter 2 to 2.5 feet at breast height.

Cones: Cones on short, thick stalks, sometimes in clusters of 2 or 3; shape ovate to elongate-ovate; color when mature red-brown, shiny; cone scales thin, slightly concave; apical spine straight and small.

Needles: Needles 1.5 to 3 inches long, in bundles of 2; needles slender, flexible.

Bark: Bark 0.5 to 0.75 inches thick, gray, irregularly divided by shallow fissures into flat, connected plates.

Native Range: Although Spruce Pine is considered a minor southern yellow pine species, it grows in a wide band across the South. It can be found on the low coastal areas from the valley of the lower Santee River in eastern South Carolina, south to the middle of northwest Florida, and west to the valley of Pearl River in eastern Louisiana. The natural range lies between latitudes 29° to 33° N. and longitudes 78° to 91° W. (Silvics of North America. 1990. Agriculture Handbook 654.)

Habitat: Spruce Pine is usually found as single individuals or small groves mixed with hardwoods. The species is commonly found along the sandy banks of streams.