About
Pinus rigida, the pitch pine, is a medium-sized, evergreen pine from eastern North America producing three-needled bundles of stiff, yellowish-green needles and oval, spiny cones. The trunk and branches often carry sprouts of juvenile foliage. A distinctive and architectural pine 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toEastern N America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil. See Trees: buying and planting specimens
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