Trees

Pines and Firs

From the windswept ridges of the Rockies to the glacial sands of the Great Lakes, these trees define the character of northern and western forests.
Each species tells a story of adaptation — to fire, frost, wind, or elevation — and reflects the quiet endurance of life in harsh environments.

Explore the subtle differences in bark, cone, and needle that distinguish one pine from another, and the landscapes they shape.

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)
Minnesota’s state tree.
Tall, straight trunks and paired needles define the Red Pine, a species common in northern forests and reforestation areas. Its reddish bark and soft green color make it a standout of the pine family.

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Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis)
A high-altitude survivor.
Found near alpine treelines, the Whitebark Pine endures cold and wind. Its twisted form and symbiotic relationship with Clark’s nutcracker define mountain ecosystems of the West.

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Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)
Resilient and fire-adapted.
A hardy northern species with curved cones that open only after fire. Jack Pines thrive on sandy soils and help regenerate boreal forests after disturbance.

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Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
The towering evergreen of the Pacific Northwest.
Not a true fir, the Douglas Fir is prized for its height and strong timber. Its distinctive cones, each with “mouse-tail” bracts, are a key identifying feature.

Austrian Pine in Open Meadow
A broad, dark crown built for wind and open ground.
Stiff paired needles and thick-scaled cones mark this European pine, long planted in the Midwest for windbreaks, durability, and its heavy, storm-resistant form.

Lodgepole Pine
Page under construction.
A future entry for the narrow-crowned, fire-adapted pine of the western mountains.