Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana)
| Needle retention | Good when displayed in water |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Rich piney fragrance |
| Needles | Twisted paired needles 1.5–3 in, stiffer than white pine |
| Ornaments | Stout branches support heavier ornaments |
| Color | Dark green (often color-enhanced, as pines fade in autumn) |
| Grown in | Central Pennsylvania south along the Atlantic coast to Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia; planted into Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and east Texas |
| USDA zones | 4-8 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- A staple of the southern Christmas tree industry since its beginning.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: NC State Extension: Selection and Care of Christmas Trees · National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox