Spruce Pine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, see Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
"Spruce Pine" may also refer to Sand Pine.
iSpruce Pine

Conservation status

Least concern (LR/lc)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Subgenus: Pinus
Species: P. glabra
Binomial name
Pinus glabra
Walter

The Spruce Pine (Pinus glabra) is a tree found on the coastal plains of the southern United States, from southern South Carolina south to northern Florida and west to southern Louisiana. This pine is a straight-growing, medium-sized species, attaining heights of 20-35 m.

The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of two, 5-8 cm long, slender (1 mm thick), and glossy dark green. The small, slender cones are 4-6 cm long, with a minute prickle on the scales.

Spruce Pines differ markedly from most other pines in that they do not occur in largely pure pine forests, but are typically found as scattered trees in moist woodland habitats in mixed hardwood forest. To be able to compete successfully in such habitats, Spruce Pines have adapted greater shade tolerance than other pines.

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