About

Pinus banksiana, the jack pine, is a medium-sized conifer to 15 m with a slender, conical habit, or becoming gnarled and shrubby in poorer soils. Yellowish-brown, curved cones 3�6 cm long point forwards along the shoot and are usually borne in pairs. The yellowish-green, needle-like leaves in twisted pairs are 2�4 cm long. An architectural and interesting conifer for a well-drained, sunny garden.

About the genus

Pinus, the pines, are evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs � some with attractive bark � developing an irregular crown with age and bearing long, needle-like leaves in bundles of 2, 3 or 5. Conspicuous cones may fall or persist on the tree for years. Among the most widely grown of all ornamental conifers.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCoastal
Native toN North America

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a well drained, acid or neutral soil
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, conifer aphid, sawfly larvae, and pine shoot moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and needle cast diseases