Table Mountain pine--Pinus pungens

Table Mountain pine

• occurs on xeric sites in the upper Appalachians on rocky, and exposed soils;

• depends upon fires to open its serotinous cones for seed distribution and ample sunlight to promote regeneration;

• does not tolerate shade and best establishes itself on sites with exposed mineral soils after major disturbances such as wildfire.

The suppression of fire has limited the distribution of the species, and it is currently in decline. Once used commercially for pulpwood, the resource now finds its importance in contributing to stabilizing soils, minimizing erosion on exposed rocky topographic landscapes, and providing a buffer in valuable high mountain watersheds.