Types of pine trees in Oregon are the ones that can survive in USDA zones 4 to 9. And with some research, you can add these gorgeous trees to provide shade, create windbreakers, freshen the air in your outdoor area, and protect the soil from erosion.
Our gardening team has developed a list of nine pine species, including ponderosa, white, and longleaf pine, that you can grow in your garden.
Provide shade and interest to your winter garden with outstanding foliage. This might come to your mind when you think of a pine tree.
As a native tree, it provides food for several wildlife species.
Distinguishing characteristics
Like Pinus albicaulis or whitebark pine with distinctive white bark, this one is an Oregon native pine. It reaches 125 feet tall in the wild but can be around 60 feet tall in your garden, almost the height of the pitch pine.
The tree identification guide states that it has a straight, tall trunk with a broad irregular-shaped crown like the Pinus banksiana.
Some might mistake it for lodgepole pine, but this one has shorter needles.
Care
Examine nearby structures, wires, and paths before planting them, as the massive height can affect them.
Thrives in well-draining soil and should be watered regularly during its first two years.
Pests and Diseases
The mountain pine beetle usually attacks this tree, but it can be treated using pheromone packets.
Needle diseases are pretty common, especially the red band needle blight.
Although the Douglas fir or Pseudotsuga menziesii is the most common tree in Oregon, this one is the most abundant pine.
It’s well-praised for providing a soothing green color for your winter garden and can live for up to 500 years in optimal conditions.
The Pinus ponderosa, also known as the black jack pine or bull pine, prefers to grow in protected areas where it’s not subject to strong winds.
2. Dwarf Mugo Pine
Benefits
People usually grow it as a hedge.
The oil from the needles can be used to clear mucus from the lungs.
Distinguishing characteristics
It measures between 2 and 5 feet in optimal conditions. Some cultivars are dwarfs and stay short, while others grow taller when they mature.
Several cultivars can grow in your Oregon garden. The Sherwood Compact is a true dwarf variety with a rounded shape and can tolerate colder weather conditions.
Care
People usually plant this pine tree in spring or fall.
The plant tolerates different pH levels, and the roots grow close to the surface. Adding a layer of mulch will keep them cool.
It needs frequent watering until it gets established and becomes drought-tolerant. In Oregon, this plant thrives in full sun and partial shade.
Pests and diseases
These pines are usually resistant to pests and diseases but can be infected by the pine sawfly.
Some adelgids will attack the bark leaving honeydew, which leads to the formation of sooty mold.
The European pine shoot usually attacks young pines and causes the young shoots to fall off.
The Pinus mugo is an evergreen shrub that can be used for various purposes in your landscape.
This descendant of hardy, much taller evergreen conifer trees can thrive in colder climates, including USDA 2 zone. However, this tree won’t do well in hotter climates. If the pine tree gets too tall you should trim it!
3. White Pine
Benefits
The graceful rounded shape of the westernwhite pine or Pinus monticola makes it a great addition to your landscape, and you can trim it to create a hedge.
When planted around your outdoor area, this tree can provide shade and protect your property from the winds, especially when paired with the lacebark pine.
People use the branches and boughs for decorations, especially Christmas decorations. So, you can pair this tree with Scots pine or Pinus sylvestris.
Distinguishing characteristics
The eastern pine is one of the biggest conifers native to the US, and both species have soft blue-green needle-like leaves.
In gardens, this tree can grow a lot smaller compared to its size in the wild. It’s also known as the Oregon pine Christmas tree.
Care
Despite its massive size, you can easily grow this tree. It thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil and needs regular watering until it gets established.
The tree appreciates some shade in hotter climates.
Pests and diseases
This pine is susceptible to several pests and diseases, especially rust and blight diseases. So, if any of these pests are common in your area, you might reconsider growing this tree.
These pines are more sensitive than other conifers. They’re sensitive to changes in the soil pH level and won’t tolerate urban pollution very well. Compact soil can also make the needles fall off prematurely.
Western and eastern white pine trees are native to the US and can be grown in Oregon for timber and landscaping purposes.
Yet, they might not tolerate different conditions that might be present in urban landscapes, including compact soil and high levels of carbon dioxide.
4. Lodgepole Pine
Benefits
The wood is used for lumber, plywood, and paneling.
It sheds needles and drips sap but can shade a large area and protect the soil from erosion.
It can be used in a landscape design to line a driveway or create a windbreak.
Distinguishing characteristics
In Oregon, this tree survives in salty conditions, and this explains why people call it the beach pine or shore pine, as it’s one of the most popular Oregon coast pine trees.
Unlike other pines, this one is slightly shorter and has two bright green needles, like Japanese black, Turkish, and Austrian pine. The mature size of this tree ranges between 15 and 160 feet, but most gardeners choose shorter versions to grow.
The tree can last over 200 years, growing pale yellow flowers in June. The cones open when exposed to fire to release the seeds.
Care
This plant thrives in slightly acidic, well-draining, moist soil.
It needs less watering, including rainwater, once it gets established. It’s better to soak the soil to allow the roots to grow below the surface.
Needs at least four hours of unfiltered light every day.
Pests and diseases
Pine beetles usually attack this pine, laying their eggs inside the bark. They also introduce the blue stain fungus, which blocks the absorption of nutrients and water.
Leaf drop and yellowing foliage are common problems with these pines. They happen because of repetitive mealybug attacks that eventually weaken the trees.
The Pinus contorta is adaptable and spreads through the Rocky Mountains region. It lives for 200 years, like the loblolly pine, and shows a slow to moderate growth rate, growing one foot per year.
Although it’s native to the US, this pine is considered invasive in other countries.
5. Sugar Pine
Benefits
This tree adds to the biodiversity of your outdoor space by providing food and shelter to native species.
Mature trees are resistant to fire.
The sugar cone pine is prized for its reddish bark and workability, so it’s mainly grown for lumber.
Distinguishing characteristics
The huge size of this tree makes it impractical for landscape planting. The Pinus lambertiana tree can live between 400 and 500 years.
It has deep green needles that come in bundles of five, and small brown flowers appear in the spring.
Care
Also known as the giant pine, you must pick a spot with at least 20 feet of clearance from other structures to plant this tree.
It thrives in slightly to moderately acidic soil and won’t survive in salty or alkaline soil.
Tolerates partial shade and needs to be overwatered during its first three years. Amending the soil with compost and mulch will support its growth.
Pests and diseases
Bark beetles attack this tree and can lead to the widespread dwarf mistletoe disease. Fungal infections usually dry the cones.
Bacterial infections cause lumps to form on the tree’s bark, causing what is known as crown galls.
Like most fir trees in Oregon, this Oregon native can reach a massive height of 200 to 240 feet, making it one of the largest pines, although the ponderosa pine tree might still be taller.
However, it grows some of the largest cones, which might be 2 feet long. It’s also one of the most common trees in Oregon.
6. Red Pine
Benefits
It’s an excellent choice for prairie landscaping designs, growing cones that mature after two years.
You can also grow it as an indoor plant that should be repotted every 2 to 3 years.
Distinguishing characteristics
This evergreen coniferous tree has a relatively narrow crown like the stone pine.
It has twisted yellow-green or deep-green needles. These needles are about 6 inches tall and are pretty brittle.
Care
This tree is tolerant of various weather conditions and soils. It can tolerate barren soil but thrives in loose fertilized soil.
It grows better in the countryside where it isn’t exposed to pollution.
The tree grows in sunny and partially shady locations, but the needles achieve their best green color when exposed to the sun.
Pests and diseases
Root collar weevils and pitch-eating weevils usually attack this tree and start from the lower stems, carrying fungal infections.
The tree is prone to needle cast, needle rust of pine, and brown rot.
The Pinus resinosa, known as Norway or Canadian pine, is a tall, straight tree that reaches a height between 50 and 80 feet tall. The shiny dark green needles are brittle and contrast beautifully with the red-brown twigs.
The bark is almost reddish to pink and adds an all-year-round interest to your garden, making this one of the most aesthetically pleasing Oregon evergreen trees.
7. Jeffrey Pine
Benefits
It’s mainly grown for its lumber and provides shade and shelter to birds and mammals. It’s also deer-resistant.
It’s an excellent specimen tree for large landscapes and is a fantastic choice for rock gardens and gravelly slopes.
Because it’s trainable, this is an excellent pine you can grow as a bonsai tree.
Distinguishing characteristics
This pine grows bluish-green or silver needles that can be between 7 and 11 inches long. The egg-shaped cones are about 6 to 9 inches long.
It has a fast growth rate and can also grow as an indoor bonsai with the Japanese red pine. Yet, in this case, it requires regular pruning to maintain its compact shape.
It can reach a height of 140 feet tall and a width of 35 feet, and the root system spreads under the soil to adapt to various soil conditions like the limber pine.
Care
Although it’s tolerant of various soil conditions, this tree doesn’t tolerate alkaline soils near the coast.
It thrives in the sun and prefers highly acidic soil, whether moist or dry.
The soil should be well-draining, and the tree can become drought-resistant once established.
Pests and diseases
The pine beetle doesn’t cause a lot of damage to these conifers, except during periods of extended drought.
Although this tree is tolerant of challenging weather conditions, it doesn’t tolerate high urban pollution levels.
The Pinus jeffreyi is a big tree that requires a lot of space below and above the ground. It’s a fast-growing tree that adds 2 or 3 feet to its height every year.
It can be seen growing in dry and rocky locations along with the maritime pine, but it won’t tolerate the alkaline soil near coastal areas.
8. Japanese White Pine
Benefits
It’s one of the most popular types for bonsai planting because gardeners can train it to stay compact.
People usually grow it for lumber, which is used to make windows and doors.
It’s resistant to deer, so you grow it along the border.
Distinguishing characteristics
This tree is popular in Asian landscapes and can be paired with Korean pine or Pinus koraiensis.
When young, the tree has a compact conical canopy that spreads into a broad pattern as it grows.
It has brown-purple bark with stiff needles that grow in a dense upward fashion, adding to the tree’s beauty. The red-brown cones open and stay on the tree for up to 6 years.
Care
It needs medium-moisture well-draining soil to thrive.
Receiving full sun is essential, and no pruning is required.
It’s easy to maintain and grows near the coast as it’s tolerant of salty spray.
Pests and diseases
Dieback and root rot are common problems with this tree.
Sawfly larvae cause a lot of damage while feeding on the bark and fruit, weakening the tree in the long run. Native birds and beetles can help keep their population under control.
In highly polluted urban areas, this tree will suffer from burned tips.
The Pinus parviflora is a small compact tree that grows in USDA 6 to 9, to a moderate size between 30 and 50 feet.
It’s resistant to rabbits and deer, and this can make it a popular landscape tree. It’s not easy to transplant, so you need to pick a permanent location for this tree.
9. Longleaf Pine
Benefits
Although people rarely grow this tree because of its massive size, it’s still prized for its needles and cones, as they’re popular in crafts.
The bark is reddish-brown with paper-like scales, making this an excellent specimen plant in your landscape.
It attracts wildlife to your garden because many birds and mammals use it for food and shelter.
Distinguishing characteristics
It gets its name from the long needles that reach the length of 18 inches in most cases.
The brown needles usually grow in bundles of 3 and appear at the ends of the branches.
There are no commercial varieties available, but it sometimes forms hybrids with other pine trees, like slash pine trees.
Care
The Pinus palustris has a long taproot, so it needs to grow in loose sandy soil.
It has average water needs and thrives with some humidity.
Needs full sun to grow, and you should fertilize it at least three times a year to stay healthy.
Pests and diseases
This pine is more resistant to most diseases and pests. However, growing it in a sunny location and regular pruning will make it healthier.
Bark beetles can attack this tree, causing the loss of needles.
Root rot is common in these pines, mainly when grown in waterlogged soil.
This tall evergreen pine can only survive in the southern regions of Oregon. Its botanical name is Pinus palustris, which translates to the pine of the marshes. Yet, technically, this name doesn’t describe the tree, as it won’t thrive in flooded locations.
Conclusion
There are many types of trees in Oregon, and some pine trees might be a great addition to your garden.
Some pines, like the sugar variety, are mainly grown for their lumber, although they can still be an exciting addition to your garden.
Sugar pines are rarely grown in landscapes because of their massive height.
Although most pines are tall, some, like the Mugo, can grow as shrubs.
Some pines like Jeffery will survive as indoor plants with regular pruning.
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