Ontario Trees & Shrubs website

Red Pine
Pinus resinosa

Other common names: Norway Pine

French names: Pin rouge

Family: Pine Family (Pinaceae)

Group: Pines

Distinctive features: Tree; Reddish bark; needles in bundles of 2.

Similar species:
  •   Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) - 2 or 3 needles per bundle.

  •   Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) - 5 needles per bundle.


Flowers: Spring

Leaves: Long needles in bundles of 2.

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas;  Forests; often in plantations.

Books: Trees in Canada: 56   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

See Also:
  •   A Quick Guide to Pine Trees


Photographs: 145 photographs available, of which 4 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

Red Pine resembles Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) in their overall form when young. The main difference when viewed from afar is that Red Pine is brushier, not as fine as Eastern White Pine. Red Pine needles are two to a bunch, with occasionally three to a bunch.

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

The trunk and bark of Red Pine. Note the reddish tinge.

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

Close-up of Red Pine bark. Note how flaky it is.

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

Red Pine is frequently planted in tree plantations in Ontario. Rows of trees that have the appearance in this photo are likely to be Red Pine (as these ones are).


Range map for Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)