TOUGH EVERGREEN TREE; NATIVE TREE; NON-COMFORMING SHAPE; DROUGHT TOLERANT; IMPORTANT FOOD SOURCE FOR BIRDS

Species: Pinus virgiana

Plant Size, Type & Delivery Height: 1.5” Caliper Trunk; Balled & Burlap; 6-8 feet tall

Mature Height: 30-60 feet

Growth Rate: Slow; < 12”/year

Sunlight: Full Sun (or Part Shade)

Drought & Heat Tolerant: Drought Tolerant

Wood Type: Strong Flexible Tree

Tree Form: Non-Pyramidal ; Tall Lateral Limbs; Dappled Shade Tree

Description: One of our favorite trees because it’s somewhat of an underdog in the landscape. This tree is not considered attractive by many because it simply doesn’t want to conform to a perfect pyramidal evergreen shape you so often see in lawns and botanical gardens. This pine tree is wild at heart. As it grows it will take on a growth habit much like an oak tree or maple tree, it wants to have big strong tall lateral limbs that will eventually provide dappled shade for you and other critters passing under its canopy—we think it’s actually a very generous tree giving living things a break from blistering sunny dry days. This tree is also an important food source for many birds and small critters as well with its small pine cones.

We think this is a good fit for Nashville for many reasons, primarily because it’s a native tree with many ecological benefits and it is extremely tough. It will grow eventually very tall with very few lower limbs to trim. Its root system isn’t aggressive and its heat and dry tolerant, so planting the tree next to sidewalks or other kinds of infrastructure isn’t a bad idea. It wants to have tall lateral limbs that extend out and so it will eventually be a nice shade tree for someone’s walk. Virginia Pine, like all evergreen trees, will absorb storm water run-off all year long, not just in the green season.

Growing Considerations: Put this tree in the ground and forget about it basically. Virginia Pine does not like to be in very moist soil. Most planting areas in Nashville do not need to worry about overly moist soil. The tree will produce small pine cones and so do consider that these cones will eventually drop (they stay on the tree for 5 years before dropping) and may become tripping/slipping hazards. Virginia Pines love full sun conditions but they can also do part sun conditions as well. After planting the tree, like all newly planted trees, you should water this tree regularly to help it get established.

Mono-Culture Risk: None

Invasive Risk: None

Urban Hardiness: We consider this tree a very urban hardy tree.