Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

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Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Pond Pine is a common and characteristic tree of pocosins and other wet habitats in the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Scotland Co., NC 4/18/10.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Quite similar to the common Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) in leaf, Pond Pine is most easily identified by its female cones, which are as broad as long and have weak prickles.

The cones are late to open (serotina means 'late' in Latin), sometimes but not always waiting until after a fire.

Scotland Co., NC 4/18/10.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) and Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Side-by-side comparison of Loblolly Pine (left) and Pond Pine (right). They're difficult to tell apart without a close look at the cones.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

An unopened cone.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

An open cone.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Unlike Loblolly Pine, Pond Pine may sprout needles and short branches directly from the trunk. Pitch Pine (P. rigida) does the same, but grows in drier areas and only in the Mountains and upper Piedmont.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) bark

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) bark

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) tree

Pond Pine is generally smaller in stature than Loblolly and does not grow as straight.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

pocosin trees

Typical pocosin trees — Pond Pine on right, Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) on left, with a sapling Atlantic Whitecedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) in the middle.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

Scotland Co., NC 4/18/10.

Scotland Co., NC 4/18/10.

More information:
Gymnosperm Database
Trees of the Maritime Forest
USFS Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides