Pine, Shortleaf

The Shortleaf Pine is an important pine over a wide area in Northeast Texas, and is common in other parts of the “Piney Woods.” This pine is essentially a tree of the hilly sections, growing in pure stands and in mixture with hardwoods. The mature tree has a tall straight stem and an oval crown, reaching a height of about 100 fee and a diameter of about 2 ½ feet. Unlike other southern pines, young shortleaf pine tees may reproduce by sprouts when cut or burned back.

The BARK is brownish-red, broken into rectangular plates; it is thinner and lighter-colored than that of loblolly pine.

The needle-like LEAVES are in clusters of two or occasionally three, 3 to 5 inches long, slender, flexible, and dark blue-green. The “FRUIT”, a cone, or bur, the smallest of the Texas pines, are 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long, oblong, with small sharp prickles; are generally clustered, and often hold to the twigs for 3 or 4 years. The small mottled seeds have a wing which is broadest near the center.

The WOOD of old trees is rather heavy and hard, yellow-brown or orange, fine-grained, and less resinous than that of the other important Southern pines. It is used for finishing, general construction, veneers, paper pulp, excelsior, cooperage, mine props, and other purposes.