There’s nothing like a pine tree to green up your landscape all year long. Browse an array of pine tree varieties at Nature Hills that thrive in most USDA planting zones and add lush beauty to any yard.

Facts About Pine Trees

Pine trees are evergreens with long, needle-shaped leaves. They are widely planted in North America, particularly in northern areas. Pine trees produce cones for propagation of the species. Pines are coniferous trees, and there are about 100 or so species of pines worldwide. The United States has about 35 species of native pines growing mostly in colder climates of the country. Pines are important to the overall health of a forest and are valued by humans for their timber and wood pulp production. Pine trees are long lived and typically reach ages of 100 years or more when left unperturbed. Most pine trees prefer full sun exposure and require little or no extra water during their mature stages.

How & Where to Plant Pine Trees

Pines grow well in acidic soils and require good soil drainage. Pine seeds (from the cones) are commonly eaten by birds, squirrels, and other woodland creatures, who then spread the seeds for wide proliferation. Pine trees make attractive ornamental plantings for homeowners and are widely used to create natural windbreaks or privacy screens. Pine trees can look very attractive in the winter landscape of northern regions. Most pine needles are green and tend to appear darker green against a dull brown or white winter background. Pine trees are also known for their pleasing smell and are commonly used for commercial and in-home Christmas decorations and winter décor. The cones, pine boughs and trees all are distinctive and have been used as seasonal decorations for centuries.

Popular Pine Tree Varieties

Whether you plant them in groups, choose one as a showcase in your yard or pair them with flowering trees for contrast, pine trees add year-round color and visual impact to any property. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Eastern White Pine - Native to the eastern United States, elegantly pyramidal when young and horizontally layered when mature, fast-growing tree gains several feet each season, luscious fragrance, soft blue-green needles, also available as a tabletop Christmas tree
• Austrian Pine - Effortless pyramidal shape, fast growing tree, dense needle growth absorbs noise and vibration for an excellent sound barrier, adaptable and road-salt tolerant
• Longleaf Pine - Native to southern United States; important timber species; stick-straight trunk and soft, feathery needles; slow grower can reach heights of 100 feet
• Mugo Pine - Low-growing variety reaches full height of five feet, dark green needles with distinctive mounded shape, low-maintenance slow grower can be sculpted into bonsai or topiary forms