Shortleaf Pine

Pinus echinata

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Needles:  3- to 5-inch slender, flexible, in clusters of 2 or 3, dark bluish-green

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Female cones; pale pink, symmetrical, ovoid, short-stalked cones (1.5 to 2.5″ long), usually not produced until the tree reaches 20 years of age, tip of each scale has a short spine, releases seeds from fall to winter. once empty, the cones stay attached to the tree for many years

Male cones: pale purple

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Bark: scaly, and dark on young trees, later reddish or yellowish-brown, flat scales which reveal a yellowish color when removed, small resin pores dotted along plates