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Table Mountain pine identification: needles, bark, cones and twigs
Table Mountain pine, Pinus pungens, 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. Stout, twisted needles 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, two per bundle, yellow-green. Bark: Dark red-brown to gray, breaking into scaly plates. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify Table Mountain pine
| Leaf type | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base |
|---|---|
| Needles | Stout, twisted needles 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, two per bundle, yellow-green. |
| Bark | Dark red-brown to gray, breaking into scaly plates. |
| Cones | Heavy egg-shaped cones about 3 inches long armed with big, thick, hooked spines; they stay on the tree, often in rings around the branch. |
| Twigs | Tough orange-brown twigs. |
| Size and shape | Small to medium tree with heavy limbs and an irregular crown; up to about 65 feet. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is Table Mountain pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Table Mountain pine as native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like Table Mountain pine
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Pitch pine Pinus rigida | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Twisted yellow-green needles 2 1/2 to 5 inches long, three per bundle. |
| Virginia pine Pinus virginiana | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Twisted yellow-green needles 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, two per bundle, spreading apart. |
| Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Slender, flexible needles 3 to 5 inches long, in bundles of two and three on the same branch. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, cones and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other pines in Pennsylvania
Red pine (Pinus resinosa), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Austrian pine (Pinus nigra).
Questions
How do you identify Table Mountain pine?
Look for needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Stout, twisted needles 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long, two per bundle, yellow-green. Bark: Dark red-brown to gray, breaking into scaly plates.
Is Table Mountain pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Table Mountain pine as native to Pennsylvania.
How big does Table Mountain pine get?
Small to medium tree with heavy limbs and an irregular crown; up to about 65 feet.
What tree looks like Table Mountain pine?
Pitch pine, Virginia pine, Shortleaf pine. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Pinus pungens fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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