Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How Tall Pine Trees Get

...
Pine Trees image by Antonio Oquias from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Depending on the species, pine trees grow to greatly varying heights. From a dwarf tree at a short height of 4 feet to a variety that reaches 100 feet in maturity, there are several options for your landscape. Identify different species, their features, growth rates and expected heights for a broad selection.

Care for Appropriate Growth

Provide excellent care to pine trees so they reach their full potential height. Plant pine trees in areas exposed to full sun. Grow pines in preferred moist, slightly acid, well-drained soil with good fertility. Add mulch to the area surrounding trees for increased water retention and to prevent problematic weeds, according to the Clemson University Extension.

  • Depending on the species, pine trees grow to greatly varying heights.
  • Provide excellent care to pine trees so they reach their full potential height.

Dwarf Pine Trees

Dwarf cultivars of the mugo pine tree (Pinus mugo) reach a height range of 2 to 5 feet. Cultivars include Gnom, which reaches a height of 2 feet with a spread of 3 feet, and Compacta, which reaches a height of 4 feet with a width of 5 feet. Mugo pines are slow growers, averaging under 1 foot of growth annually. Foliage is needle-like and evergreen, fading to a yellow-green color during the winter season. Cones measure up to 2 inches in length.

Short Pine Trees

Virginia pines (Pinus virginiana), also referred to as scrub pines, reach a height of 15 to 40 feet with a spread of 10 to 30. These short evergreen pine trees display dark green to yellow-green needle-like foliage that yellows during the winter months. Exhibiting a slow growth rate of less than 1 foot annually, Virginia pines produce cones that measure 2 to 3 inches in length. Standard mugo pines also grow to a height range of 15 to 20 feet with a spread of 20 to 25.

  • Dwarf cultivars of the mugo pine tree (Pinus mugo) reach a height range of 2 to 5 feet.

Medium Pine Trees

Medium pines include spruce pines (Pinus glabra) that reach a height of 50 to 90 feet. Longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) are another medium pine species with a height range of 55 to 80 feet. Spruce pines display dark green needle-like foliage with a twisted appearance as well as cones that reach up to 2 1/2 inches. Spruce pines are known for their fast growth rate. Longleaf pines display dark green needle-like foliage and cones that reach 6 to 10 inches long. Growth rate is variable, beginning as a slow process within the first 10 years of life and progressing to a faster rate of 2 feet of new growth annually.

Tall Pine Trees

Tall pines reach 100 feet or more. Though white pine (Pinus strobus) may remain at a height of 50 to 80 feet, it has the potential to reach 150-plus feet in maturity, according to the Clemson University Extension. White pines display blue-green needles at a rapid growth rate of over 2 feet every year. Slash pines (Pinus elliottii) are a more reliably tall variety with an ultimate height of 100 feet. Slash pines display dark green needle-like foliage and glossy brown cones that measure 3 to 6 inches in length; slash pine grows quickly at more than 2 feet of new annual growth.

  • Medium pines include spruce pines (Pinus glabra) that reach a height of 50 to 90 feet.

Related Articles

Small Pine Evergreen Trees
Small Pine Evergreen Trees
Types of Western Evergreen Trees
Types of Western Evergreen Trees
The Best Pine Trees
The Best Pine Trees
How Close Together Can I Plant Pine Trees?
How Close Together Can I Plant Pine Trees?
Differences in Pine Trees
Differences in Pine Trees
The Best Pine Trees for Northern Illinois
The Best Pine Trees for Northern Illinois
How Fast Do Conifers Grow?
How Fast Do Conifers Grow?
Pine Trees in Russia
Pine Trees in Russia
Pine Trees in Ohio
Pine Trees in Ohio
What Type of Pine Trees Grow in Georgia?
What Type of Pine Trees Grow in Georgia?
How To Identify Pine Trees
How To Identify Pine Trees
The Best Time to Plant Spruce Trees
The Best Time to Plant Spruce Trees
Why Are Pine Trees Called Evergreens?
Why Are Pine Trees Called Evergreens?
Meyer's Spruce Planting Instructions
Meyer's Spruce Planting Instructions
Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees
Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees
Names of Seed Plants
Names of Seed Plants
Garden Guides
×