Native Trees of Kentucky 13 



a. Short-leaf Pine Pimis echinata. 



Commercially, the Short-leaf Pine is Kentucky's most valuable 

 conifer, commonly found throughout the eastern and southeastern 

 counties. It is the "Yellow Pine," "Slash Pine" and "Old Field 

 Pine" of the mountain vernacular. 



The wood, an orange or yellow brown in color, is used for 

 doors, sash and blinds, framing and interior finish. 



This Pine and its relative, the Red Pine, are the only conifers 

 that can successfully resist the scourge of forest fires. The seed- 

 lings and even older trees can have all their leaves burnt off with- 

 out killing the trees. Seedlings from five to six years or older 

 sprout from the roots ; and young trees, when felled, are able to 

 reproduce themselves by sprouts from cut-over stumps. These 

 two unusual and valuable characteristics strongly recommend the 

 Short-leaf Pine for profitable and systematic management of 

 forest areas. 



Tree tall, slender, 50 to 60 feet high. 



Bark thick, covered with cinnamon brown scales. 



Leaves dark blue-green, flexible, in clusters of 2 or 3. 



Fruit cones, biennial, pendent; scales marked with strong 

 transverse ridges. 



