Plant Profiles: HORT 2242 Landscape Plants II

Botanical Name: Pinus banksiana Common Name: jack pine Family Name: Pinaceae – pine family General Description: Pinus banksiana is a scrubby, off-color, awkward tree that is not often planted in the landscape. There are, however, some unique cultivars worthy of use in specialty gardens or landscapes. Jack pine is a native tree known for its adaptability to extreme cold and ability to grow in poor, sandy soils. It is considered a pioneer plant for its ability to populate a forest after a fire. According to Plants of the Chicago Region, this species typically occurs in our area in the sandy, dunal areas around Lake Michigan. Zone: 2-6 or 7 Resources Consulted: Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture,

Propagation and Uses. Champaign: Stipes, 2009. Print. "The PLANTS Database." USDA, NRCS. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA, 2014. Web. 17

Mar. 2014. Swink, Floyd, and Gerould Wilhelm. Plants of the Chicago Region. Indianapolis: Indiana Academy of Science, 1994.

Print. Creator: Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, Professor, College of DuPage Creation Date: 2014 Keywords/Tags: Pinaceae, tree, conifer, cone, needle, evergreen, Pinus banksiana, jack pine

Whole plant/Habit: Description: The irregular, sparse habit of Pinus

banksiana creates a craggy, scrubby silhouette. Though interesting in a way, it does not fit the stereotype of a pyramidal pine and the straight species is rarely used in the ornamental landscape.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: November 27, 2009 Image File Name: jack_pine_1150918.png

Bark: Description: The dark gray craggy bark is not a

distinctive identification feature. Image Source: Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest Service,

Bugwood.org Image Date: Unknown Image File Name: 5350034-SMPT.jpg

Branch/Twig: Description: The branches and twigs have large

numbers of cones in various stages of maturity. Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: December 28, 2010 Image File Name: jack_pine_1240174.png

Bud: Description: The buds are long, narrow, and resinous.

Not a distinctive identification feature. Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: February 26, 2006 Image File Name: jack_pine_0088.png

Flower: Description: Though not true flowers the

reproductive structures on pines are often referred to as such. Pines are monoecious; producing male pollen cones (on left) and separate female seed cones (on right) all on the same plant. Male pollen cones are clustered at the base of new growth. Female cones form near the tip of new growth. The color phases can vary according to species. Note: This photo is meant to show general images for “flowers”. The images are not from the same pine species and may not be of the same species referenced in this Plant Profile.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: Early June Image File Name: pinus_flower-00.png

Cone: Description: Pinus banksiana cones point forward

and slightly curve on the stem. Large numbers of cones are produced. It is common to find immature cones, mature unopened cones, and mature open cones on the tree all at the same time. This is unique to Jack pine and is a great identification tool. This is an immature 1st year cone.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: February 26, 2006 Image File Name: jack_pine_0087.png

Cone: Description: Mature, unopened 2nd year cones. Some

mature cones open upon maturity. Others remain on the tree for many years without opening. Fire or temperatures above 120 F will initiate opening and dispersal of the seeds.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: November 27, 2009 Image File Name: jack_pine_1150900.png

Cone: Description: Mature opened cones can also remain

on the tree for many years. Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: February 26, 2006 Image File Name: jack_pine_0084.png

Leaf Number/Attachment: Description: Pinus banksiana is a two-needle pine.

Leaf characteristics provide easy identification features. The needles are frequently a yellow-green or olive-green color and sparsely arranged at the tip of the twigs as they only persist for 2-4 years.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: November 27, 2009 Image File Name: jack_pine_1150914.png

Leaf Number/Attachment: Description: The paired needles diverge in a

distinctive “v-shape”. Each needle may have a slight twist.

Image Source: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Administration, Bismarck.

Image Date: Unknown Image File Name: piba2_003_php.jpg

Winter interest: Description: The yellow-green needle color, sparse

habit and multitude of cones create an interesting winter scene; however, most homeowners would not agree and will think the tree is sick!

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: December 28, 2010 Image File Name: jack_pine_1240171.png

Special ID feature(s): Description: Jack pine, with its sparse needles, off

color, and irregular habit is easy to identify. However, since the cones, in various stages of maturity, remain on the tree for many years they serve as the most reliable identification tool.

Image Source: Karren Wcisel, TreeTopics.com Image Date: December 28, 2010 Image File Name: jack_pine_1240173.png