Yellow pine facts for kids
Yellow pine is a name for several kinds of pine trees that grow in similar areas and have strong wood. In the western part of the United States, yellow pine often means Jeffrey pine or ponderosa pine. In the southeastern United States, it refers to longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, slash pine, or loblolly pine. In the United Kingdom, "yellow pine" can mean eastern white pine or Scots pine. In New Zealand, it refers to a tree called Halocarpus biformis.
Contents
Yellow Pines in the Western United States
Two common yellow pines in the western United States are the Jeffrey pine and the ponderosa pine. They often grow in dry, mountainous areas, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains. People sometimes confuse these two trees because they look similar. However, outside of California, the ponderosa pine is usually the only yellow pine found.
Jeffrey Pine vs. Ponderosa Pine
Jeffrey pines are very tough trees. They can handle difficult conditions better than ponderosa pines. You will find Jeffrey pines in higher places, where the soil is not as good, the weather is colder, or it is very dry. Ponderosa pines usually grow at lower elevations, from about 300 to 2,100 meters (1,000 to 7,000 feet) high. Jeffrey pines grow mostly in California, from about 1,500 to 2,400 meters (5,000 to 8,000 feet) in the north, and even higher in the south.
How to Tell Them Apart
One easy way to tell Jeffrey and ponderosa pines apart is by their cones. Both cones have sharp points on their scales.
- The points on a Jeffrey pine cone face inward. If you rub your hand down the cone, it will feel smooth.
- The points on a ponderosa pine cone stick out. If you rub your hand down this cone, it will feel sharp and prickly.
Also, Jeffrey pine needles are a bit duller green than ponderosa pine needles. Jeffrey pines also have bigger, heavier cones with larger seeds.
Yellow Pine Wood from the West
The wood from Jeffrey pine and ponderosa pine is often sold together as "yellow pine." Both types of wood are hard. However, western yellow pine wood is not as heavy as southern yellow pine wood.
Yellow Pines in the Southern United States
In the southern United States, yellow pines include native trees like loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, and slash pines. These trees grow very well in the reddish, acidic clay soil common in this region.
Uses for Southern Yellow Pine Wood
The wood from southern yellow pines is very strong and heavy. It is often used to build homes in the United States. It is also a popular choice for wooden roller coasters because it is so durable. You can also see southern yellow pine used for utility poles across the country. These trees grow all over the South and Mid-Atlantic regions, from Texas to New Jersey.
Yellow Pine in New Zealand
In New Zealand, a tree called Halocarpus biformis is known as yellow pine. This tree is a type of podocarp, which is another kind of cone-bearing tree. Its wood is very strong, smells sweet, and lasts a long time.
