Pond Pine grows best in swamps, shallow ponds, and boggy depressions, but can also be found in more upland areas. Pond pine ranges on the coastal plane from southeastern Virginia to north Florida.

Pond Pine Branch with cone

It’s interesting to note that this water loving tree is also adapted to fire.  Pond Pine has serotinous cones or cones that open after a fire, and it will re-sprout needles from the trunk and limbs after a fire.  

Like loblolly, pond pine cones persist on the tree for long periods of time,.  However, pond pine cones have a small stalk, are shorter, are more egg-shaped when closed, and squattier when open.  

Deer browse the sprouts and seedlings and the seeds are eaten by many species of birds and rodents.  The wood is used for making paper and lumber.

Size/Form:

Trunk often twisted with numerous sprouts and a thin crown.

Leaves:

Evergreen needles, 4 to 7 inches long in fascicles of 3, occasionally 4, straight, dark yellow green.

Fruit:

Bark:

Habitat:

Tree

cone closed