Virginia pine--Pinus virginana

Once described as a “forest weed”, Virginia pine:

• is a short-lived, common pioneer species across the southeast;

• occurs on soils with acidities ranging from a pH of 4.6 to 7.9;

• will often produce higher acidic soils under its canopy than loblolly, shortleaf, or eastern white pines;

• is an ideal pioneer species, dominating abandoned fields, by producing heavy seed crops every three years with rapid early seedling growth and;

• its ability to tolerate prolonged drought on dry, poor soils compares favorably with other southern pines.

Ice storms, heart rot, and windthrow due to a shallow rooting system are all threats to Virginia pine. New research also indicates that this species may be the most susceptible pine to ozone pollution.

Of all the southern pine species, Virginia pine is the most preferred Christmas tree species, but its ecological value has been shown on mine spoils and strip-mines sites where its rapid establishment and resilience to acidic conditions helps prevent erosion and assists in returning vegetation to these highly altered sites.