General Description

Pinus rigida is a true pine tree with very rigid, twisting branches and an open pyramidal form.

Landscape

Not often used in a cultivated landscape. May be used in a forest setting or in poor soils where other trees will not flourish.

Cultivation

Grow in full sun, in moist, well-drained soil. Intolerant of shade but can be grown in poor or dry soils. Also salt tolerant.

Shape

Very open and pyramidal.

Growth

Medium

ID Characteristic

Very rounded, sharp cones that last for several years; three needles per fascicle; very open growth compared to other pines.

Pests

A possible pest is the southern pine beetle. Sweet fern blister rust will cause cankers. Most infections occur in trees under 10 years.

Habitat

Dry, steep ridges and plains; moist river valleys and swamps.

Bark/Stem Description

Light red-brown colour with very deep ridges. The surface looks quite rough, especially when young bark is peeling.

Flower/Leaf Bud Description

Scaled, globose, dark brown, very resinous.

Leaf Description

Needles up to 15 cm long, in bundles of 3, very rigid, with a twisted look. They are shed after 2 - 3 years.

Flower Description

Consist of many pollen cones, light beige sometimes with red at the tip.

Fruit Description

Light brown cones with very sharp ridges are almost perfectly round: 3 - 9 cm in both height and width. Fruit is not shed for 2 - 3 years, during which time they are difficult to detach from the tree.

Colour Description

Needles are a rich, light evergreen, sometimes varying to green-yellow. Cones are light green while developing and light brown during growth. Mature cones are dark brown. Buds are dark brown and covered in a white resin. Flowers are light beige.

Texture Description

The bark is very coarse.

Notable Specimens

Niagara Parks Botanical Garden, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

Propagation

Most commonly by seed in the wild but can also reproduce asexually through basal sprouting and epicormic shoots. The fact that it is monoecious can be problematic as outcrossing is common, causing inbred defects.

Gelderen, D. M. van, and J. R. P. van Smith. 'Conifers'. Portland, Or.: Published in cooperation with Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society by Timber Press, 1986. Print. Jane, F. W.. 'Conifers'. 4th ed. Upminster (44 Claremont Gardens, Upminster, Essex RM14 1DN): School Natural Science Society, 1971. Print.