Plants

Pinus mugo var. pumilio
[Dwarf Mountain Pine]

The Pinus mugo var. pumilio dwarf shrub is found in the wild in the mountains of eastern and central Europe. The shrub can spread up to 10' wide but typically stays short in height, 3'-5' at maturity. Avoid planting in poorly-drained wet soils.

Tree

Pinus nigra
[Austrian Pine]

An excellent plant for screening when young. Needs a companion planting eventually for low screening as it loses branches at the base. Tolerates city conditions. Tolerates clay, dry, and alkaline soils, and heat. May be badly damaged by sapsuckers. Sphaeropsis tip blight is a more serious problem. Pine foliar nematode (transmitted by a beetle) can also be problematic.

Shrub

Pinus nigra 'Hornibrookiana'
[Dwarf Austrian Pine]

'Hornbrookiana' is a compact and mounded dwarf cultivar. Tolerates city conditions. Tolerates clay, dry, and alkaline soils, and heat. May be badly damaged by sapsuckers. Sphaeropsis tip blight is a more serious problem. Pine foliar nematode (transmitted by a beetle) can also be problematic.

Tree

Pinus parviflora
[Japanese White Pine]

The species exhibits good salt tolerance. Although subject to rusts, wood rots, nematodes, and sawflies, none are serious.

Tree

Pinus ponderosa
[Ponderosa Pine]

Pinus ponderosa is a very tolerant tree, adaptable to a wide range of conditions, except for shade and poor drainage. Older trees often lack lower limbs. It is dominant in western North America, where it can reach up to 230 feet tall, and is an extremely important timber tree.

Tree

Pinus resinosa
[Red Pine]

Forms a decent screen when young, especially on poor, dry soils, but soon drops lowers limbs necessitating the need of companion plants to complete the screen. Develops a shorter, thicker trunk when grown in the open. Pine bud moth (as well as other moths) can be problem if not controlled. Foliage presentation not always full or clearly esthetic. Best in groves or plantations where bark color can be admired.

Tree

Pinus rigida
[Pitch Pine]

Pinus rigida is native to the poor, sandy upland soils of eastern North America. The falling needles, cones, branches, and sap can be problematic. This plant is not generally recommended for use in the landscape, except on very poor soils. Best grown in a solitary location, where it won't be forced to compete with nearby plants.

Tree

Pinus sp.
[Pine]

Pines are very diverse in terms of habit and landscape uses.

Tree

Indiana Native

Pinus strobus
[Eastern White Pine]

More graceful than most pines, both as a young and an old specimen. Excellent neutral screening plant, it can be kept full by occasional pruning. Among best pines for resistance to moth borers. Transplants easily with a bit of shade tolerance. Somewhat less adapted to severe exposures and very dry soils than Pinus resinosa or Pinus nigra. Very sensitive to air pollution and road salt. Susceptible to White Pine Blister Rust. Decaying needles acidify soil…

Indiana Native

Tree

Pinus strobus 'Contorta'
[Contorted Eastern White Pine]

'Contorta' has a loose, irregular, upright form and twisted needles, branchlets, and branches. The Eastern White Pine is among the best pines for resistance to moth borers. Transplants easily with a bit of shade tolerance. Somewhat less adapted to severe exposures and very dry soils than Pinus resinosa or Pinus nigra. Very sensitive to air pollution and road salt. Susceptible to White Pine Blister Rust. Decaying needles acidify soil beneath (to about pH 4.5), which…