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Red pine identification: needles, bark, cones and twigs
Red pine, Pinus resinosa, is a native tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its needles, bark, cones and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Dark green needles 4 to 6 inches long, two per bundle, that snap cleanly in half when bent. Bark: Flaky and reddish to pinkish gray when young; later flat plates with a reddish tint. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify red pine
| Leaf type | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base |
|---|---|
| Needles | Dark green needles 4 to 6 inches long, two per bundle, that snap cleanly in half when bent. |
| Bark | Flaky and reddish to pinkish gray when young; later flat plates with a reddish tint. |
| Cones | Shiny chestnut-brown cones 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long with no prickles. |
| Twigs | Orange-brown twigs with orange-brown buds. |
| Size and shape | Clear trunk and oval crown with tufted, fox-tail foliage; up to about 90 feet. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is red pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists red pine as native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like red pine
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Austrian pine Pinus nigra | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Thick, dark green needles 4 to 6 inches long, two per bundle, flexible. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, cones and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other pines in Pennsylvania
Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), Table Mountain pine (Pinus pungens), Pitch pine (Pinus rigida), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
Questions
How do you identify red pine?
Look for needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Dark green needles 4 to 6 inches long, two per bundle, that snap cleanly in half when bent. Bark: Flaky and reddish to pinkish gray when young; later flat plates with a reddish tint.
Is red pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists red pine as native to Pennsylvania.
How big does red pine get?
Clear trunk and oval crown with tufted, fox-tail foliage; up to about 90 feet.
What tree looks like red pine?
Austrian pine. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Pinus resinosa fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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