Bayshore/ Pitch Pine

COMMON NAME: Pitch Pine

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Torch Pine

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pinus rigida

FAMILY: Pinaceae

COMMUNITY: Maritime Forest

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: to 60 feet

FLOWERING TIME: May

FRUITING TIME:

DISTRIBUTION: Eastern Canada to Georgia ~  Coastal or Appalachian mountains ~ The most common pine tree in the pinelands of NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Evergreen needles in clusters of 3, stiff 2 1/2 to 5 inches long, yellowish green ~ Twigs stout, brittle rough, angled in cross-section, bright green when young, latter become orange-brown ~ Buds egg-shaped, 1/2 inch long ~ Cones 11/2 to 31/2 inches long with short stiff prickles, often remain attached for up to 10 years, some cones open only when exposed to fire and spread seeds ~ Epicormic sprouting occurs when dormant buds beneath the bark sprout along the trunk after a fire ~ Bark green and smooth on young branches, thick, rough grayish brown on older trunk

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Pinaceae) commonly called the Pine Family consists of large trees including pines, larches, spruces, hemlocks, firs and Douglas-firs.  The trees are resinous, evergreen with straight axis and narrow crown, usually with soft lightweight wood.  The family includes species in northern temperate and tropical mountain regions.  In North America there are 61 native species and 5 species are native to New Jersey. Pitch Pine is the most common evergreen in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.  Its characteristic thick bark and scruffy appearance explain the pitch pine’s notable ability to survive tree-killing fire.  The Pitch Pine is found in areas of frequent forest fires. The wood of the Pitch Pine has a high resin content and is used for railroad ties, construction lumber, pulpwood and fuel. Pitch Pine seeds are important to nuthatches, Pine Grosbeak and Black-Capped Chickadee.  Deer and rabbits browse the seedlings.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.