Pinus virginiana, Mill.

Form.—A small tree usually 30-50 feet high, diameter 1-2 feet; trunk short and often crooked; crown pyramidal to flat-topped.

Leaves.—Clustered in twos, 1½-3 inches long, twisted, rather stout, sharp-pointed, gray-green.

Flowers.—April-May; monoecious; staminate in clusters at base of new growth, yellow-brown; pistillate near middle of season’s growth, pale green, the scale tips rose-colored.

Fruit.—Ovoid when open, sometimes slightly curved; scales thin, nearly flat, bright brown, with persistent prickles.

Bark.—With shallow fissures, and dark brown loose scales.

Wood.—Light, soft, brittle, pale orange with whitish sapwood.

Range.—Southern New York to Georgia, west to Kentucky and southern Indiana.

Distribution in West Virginia.—Common in Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Grant, Mercer and other counties southward along the mountains; less common in Barbour, Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, Monongalia, Randolph, Ritchie, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Habitat.—Prefers light sandy and thin rocky soils; often found on exhausted farm lands.

Notes.—This species is most easily confused with yellow pine, but can be distinguished by its uniform 2-leaf clusters, small prickly cones and comparatively smooth bark. The leaves are twisted and divergent, giving the twigs a disheveled appearance. Of little value as a timber tree; wood used chiefly for boxes, crates, fencing, ties, and fuel.