Red pine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Pine |
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| Trees at Sherburne NWR, Minnesota | |
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Pinus
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P. resinosa
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| Pinus resinosa |
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The Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) is a type of pine tree. It is native to northeastern North America. These tall trees grow in a wide area. You can find them from Newfoundland in the east to southeast Manitoba in the west. They also grow south into northern Illinois and Pennsylvania. There is even a small group of them in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.
In the Upper Midwest of the United States, some people call it the Norway Pine. This name can be a bit confusing. The Red Pine is not actually from Norway! It is the official state tree of Minnesota.
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What is a Red Pine?
Red Pines are known for their straight trunks. They can grow very tall, sometimes over 100 feet (30 meters) high. Their bark is reddish-brown, which is how they got their name. The bark is flaky when the tree is young. As the tree gets older, the bark becomes more scaly.
Needles and Cones
The needles of the Red Pine are long and flexible. They grow in bundles of two. Each needle can be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 16 cm) long. They are dark green and stay on the tree for several years.
Red Pines produce cones, just like other pine trees. The cones are oval-shaped and about 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm) long. They start green and turn brown when they are ready to release their seeds. The seeds inside the cones are small and winged. This helps them fly away in the wind.
Where Do Red Pines Grow?
Red Pines prefer sandy soils. They often grow in areas that have been disturbed, like after a forest fire. They are also found in forests with other trees. These include White Pine and Jack Pine.
They are very important trees in their native habitat. They provide homes and food for many animals. Their strong wood is also used by people for building and other purposes.
Life Cycle of a Red Pine
Like all trees, Red Pines have a life cycle. It starts with a tiny seed. This seed falls from a cone and can grow into a new tree.
Reproduction
Red Pines produce both male and female cones on the same tree. The male cones are small and yellowish. They release pollen in the spring. The wind carries this pollen to the female cones.
Female cones are larger and start out reddish. Once pollinated, they grow and mature over two years. When the seeds are ready, the cones open up. The winged seeds then float away to find a new place to grow. If a seed lands in a good spot, it can sprout and begin its own life as a Red Pine seedling.
Images for kids
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An old tree in Itasca State Park, Minnesota
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Pollen cones in spring
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Cone (scale in cm)
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Red pine boughs, showing yellowing and abscission of older foliage in the autumn.
See also
In Spanish: Pino rojo americano para niños
