Learn how to identify five common pine tree species found in South Carolina.
Identification of 5 pine trees commonly found in South Carolina
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pine Needle Identification
Pine needle bundles are called fascicles and have a sheath that holds the bundle together at the base. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pine Cone Identification
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Eastern White Pine needles and cone
The soft, bluish-green needles of an Eastern White Pine are in bundles of 5 and are 3 to 5 inches long. The slightly curved, elongated pine cones are 4 to 8 inches long. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Eastern White Pine Bark (Pinus strobus)
Young Eastern white pines have a smooth gray bark, and as the tree ages, the bark is broken into smaller, darker gray rectangular pieces. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Loblolly Pine Tree (Pinus tadea)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
Loblolly pines have dark yellow-green needles in bundles of threes and are 5 to 10 inches long. The oval cylindrical cones are 3 to 6 inches. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Loblolly Pine Bark (Pinus taeda)
Loblolly pines have scaly gray bark that develops furrows with age. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Longleaf Needles and Cone
The bright green, flexible needles of a longleaf pine are 12 to 14 inches long and are in bundles of threes. The large cones range in size from 6 to 12 inches. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Longleaf Pine Bark (Pinus palustris)
Longleaf pines have thick reddish-brown, scaly bark. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Shortleaf Pine Needles and Cone
The dark bluish-green needles of a shortleaf pine are 3 to 5 inches long and arranged in bundles of twos. The cylindrical cones are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in size. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Shortleaf Pine Bark (Pinus echinata)
The reddish-brown bark has thin, papery, scaly plates. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Virginia Pine Needles and Cone
The 1 1/2 to 3 inch contorted, twisted needles are arranged in bundles of twos. The needle color ranges from gray green to yellow green. The reddish-brown pine cones are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches and may persist on the tree for a long time. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
The orange-brown bark of the Virginia pine is scaly on younger trees. When the tree ages, the bark exhibits thin, small, scaly plates with cinnamon colored patches on the upper trunk. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
