Pine Comparison

Pine Species Comparison

Austrian Pine · Jack Pine · Red Pine · Lodgepole Pine

Pine identification can be deceptively challenging. Many species share similar silhouettes—upright trunks, paired needles, persistent cones—yet each has its own structure, texture, and “posture” in the landscape.
This guide compares four common or commonly planted pines in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest:

Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)
Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta, var. latifolia)

Some are native, some heavily planted, some rare, and some often misidentified.
Use this reference when sorting out pines in open meadows, windbreaks, restoration plots, or scattered plantings.

Quick Comparison Table

Needles

Species	Bundles	Length	Texture & Color	Notes
Austrian Pine	2	4–6″	Very stiff, dark green	Needles longest and stiffest of the group; sharp to the touch.
Red Pine	2	4–6″	Flexible, glossy green	Bend-and-snap test: needle snaps cleanly when bent.
Jack Pine	2	1–2″	Short, often twisted	Classic feature: needles curve and twist irregularly.
Lodgepole Pine	2	1.5–3″	Fine, straight, bright green	Slim needles; softer and lighter than Austrian Pine.

Cones

Species	Size & Shape	Persistence	Special Traits
Austrian Pine	2–3″, oval	Drop after a few seasons	Thick, light brown scales with low prickles.
Red Pine	1.5–2.5″, round-oval	Drop yearly	Unarmed scales; cones feel smooth.
Jack Pine	1–2″, curved	Often very persistent	Many are serotinous—open with fire/heat.
Lodgepole Pine	1–2″, egg-shaped	Persistent for many years	Many serotinous; tightly sealed until warmed by heat.

Bark

Species	Young Bark	Mature Bark	Notes
Austrian Pine	Dark gray-brown	Thick, scaly, blocky	Never orange; stays dark and rugged.
Red Pine	Gray at base	Orange-red plates high on trunk	One of the best field marks for the species.
Jack Pine	Thin, flaky	Dark, irregular, scaly	More scruffy and uneven than other pines.
Lodgepole Pine	Thin, gray-brown	Small, scaly plates	Does not become thick or deeply furrowed.

Crown / Form

Species	Crown Shape	Branching	Overall Look
Austrian Pine	Broad, rounded	Dense, heavy	Storm-resistant, muscular silhouette.
Red Pine	Tall, open, rounded	Clean lower trunks	Uniform stands common in plantations.
Jack Pine	Irregular, scraggly	Often sparse	Looks “messy,” especially in poor soils.
Lodgepole Pine	Narrow, upright	Evenly spaced	Noticeably slender; western “mountain pine” look.

Habitat & Origin

Species	Native Range	Midwest Presence	Notes
Austrian Pine	Europe	Widely planted	Brought by settlers; hardy but disease-prone today.
Red Pine	Upper Great Lakes	Native, common	Minnesota’s state tree; extensive reforestations.
Jack Pine	Great Lakes, Canada	Native, common locally	Thrives on dry, sandy soils; key in fire ecosystems.
Lodgepole Pine	Rockies, Pacific NW	Occasionally planted	Not native; appears in research and restoration plots.

Field Recognition Tips

Austrian Pine

Longest, stiffest needles
Very dark, heavy crown
Trunk bark stays dark and blocky
Common in windbreaks and old farm plantings

Red Pine

Needles flexible, bright green
“Bend-and-snap” test is reliable
Bark turns orange high on trunk
Uniform plantations are common

Jack Pine

Short, twisted needles
Small, curved serotinous cones
Irregular, scruffy crown
Common in dry sand plains

Lodgepole Pine

Very narrow young form
Fine, straight needles
Layers of persistent cones
Looks “western” compared to Midwest pines

Photo Index (Optional)

(Add a photo grid here if you’d like visual comparison.)

Notes

This Field Notes comparison page complements the individual tree pages and can be linked from Austrian Pine, Red Pine, Jack Pine, and Lodgepole Pine to help visitors distinguish their features more reliably.