Table mountain pine is a resilient evergreen conifer, typically characterized by its short and twisted needles that cluster in pairs. The rugged, thick bark and sharp, sturdy cones are indicative of its adaptability to rocky and infertile soils. With a preference for high-elevation habitats, table mountain pine has a slow growth habit, forming dense stands that offer shelter and sustenance for local wildlife.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Table Mountain pine, Pinus pungens, also called hickory pine, prickly pine, or mountain pine, is a small pine native to the Appalachian Mountains in the United States.
Pinus pungens is a tree of modest size (6–12 metres (20–39 ft)), and has a rounded, irregular shape. The needles are in bundles of two, occasionally three, yellow-green to mid green, fairly stout, and 4–7 centimetres (1+1⁄2–3 in) long. The pollen is released early compared to other pines in the area which minimizes hybridization. The cones are very short-stalked (almost sessile), ovoid, pale pinkish to yellowish buff, and 4–9 centimetres (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) long; each scale bears a stout, sharp spine 4–10 millimetres (5⁄32–25⁄64 in) long. Sapling trees can bear cones in as little as 5 years.
Buds ovoid to cylindric, red-brown, 6–9 millimetres (15⁄64–23⁄64 in), resinous.
Morphology
Pinus pungens is a native, slow-growing conifer. It is often small in stature and exceedingly limby.It rarely grows beyond 66 feet (20 m) tall, though the tallest individual recorded was 95 feet (29 m).Pinus pungens is typically around 16 inches (40 cm) DBH. The maximum recorded DBH was 34 inches (94 cm).The trunks of Pinus pungens are often crooked and have irregularly shaped cross-sections. Older trees tend to be flat-topped, while young trees can vary in form from that of a large bush when open-grown, to slender with relatively small limbs when grown in a dense stand. Table Mountain pine typically has long, thick limbs on much of the trunk even in closed canopy stands.
Male cones are 1.5 cm long. Female cones are sessile, range from 4.2-10 cm long.Cone scales are tough and armed with broad, upwardly curving spines.
Pinus pungens prefers dry conditions and is mostly found on rocky slopes, rocky knobs, and peaks, favoring higher elevations, from 300–1,760 metres (980–5,770 ft) altitude. It commonly grows as single scattered trees or small groves, not in large forests like most other pines, and needs periodic disturbances for seedling establishment. Throughout the Appalachian Mountain range, P. pungens is a component of conifer-dominated communities along with other pine species. The three tallest known Pinus pungens are in Paris Mountain State Park, South Carolina; they are 26.85 to 29.96 metres (88 ft 1 in to 98 ft 4 in) tall
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Table mountain pine thrives under full sun exposure, which provides the high-intensity light needed for robust growth. With daylight duration playing a pivotal role, table mountain pine benefits most from long hours of direct light. In terms of quality, the best growth is observed when this plant acquires unfiltered sunlight. A deviation from these optimal conditions, such as lower light intensities or extended periods of shade, could possibly lead to diminished growth and vitality.
Table mountain pine demonstrates a remarkable resilience to light changes; however, prolonged suboptimal light may compromise health and reduce reproductive success. Table mountain pine is typically an outdoor plant found in well-lit environments, preferably in clearings or high elevations where light is abundant.
Temperature
The table mountain pine is mostly native to the northern hemisphere and can withstand many challenging environmental conditions. Tolerant of temperatures ranging between -60 to 50 ℃, making it suitable for hardiness zones 11 and below, this is a plant that grows best in well-drained, deep and moist soil.
Watering
Table mountain pine thrives in its native environment with moderate moisture, reflecting its adaptability to a range of watering conditions. It has evolved to be somewhat drought-tolerant, making it suitable for environments that experience periodic dry spells. For optimal growth, table mountain pine should be watered once every 1-2 weeks, ensuring the soil does not become overly saturated. Typically grown outdoors due to its size and nature as an evergreen plant, table mountain pine benefits from natural rainfall patterns but may require supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods.
Soil
Pinus pungens prefer a well-drained porous gravelly subsoil, overlaid with a light sandy loam. They seem to be particularly happy in a soil underlaid with a porous glacial drift. In cultivation, however, they succeed very well in ordinary well-drained soil. When the plants are set in clay soil, which is often done, the soil should be thoroughly loosened by trenching or subsoil plowing, and well under-drained. Any available humus, woodashes, and well-rotted manure incorporated in the soil greatly aid in rendering it friable and porous for the roots.
Fertilizing
To foster robust growth in table mountain pine, use balanced nutrition fertilizers. A yearly spring application suffices, paralleling the plant’s active growth phase. Base quantity on product guidelines considering table mountain pine’s size. Too much can harm roots; follow instructions meticulously. Fertilization enhances growth, and for table mountain pine, establishes strong defenses against environmental stress. Adjust applications if growth is sluggish or excessive. Employ slow-release formulas for long-term benefits and to prevent over-fertilization. For optimal results, integrate into the soil near the plant’s base, avoiding direct contact with the trunk.
Planting Instructions
Table mountain pine is best planted in early spring. Ideally, use healthy and vigorous seedlings with soil balls, as this can greatly improve the survival rate. In the case of many lateral roots, the deep main root can be cut. Otherwise, the root system should be protected to avoid damage.
Plant in a high, dry, well-drained, and well-ventilated place, with loose soil. In low-lying places with accumulated water, or places with sticky soil, try building a platform or changing the soil before planting. The planting pit should be treated with a basal fertilizer before planting. Newly planted large seedlings should be supported to prevent them being blown down by the wind. Before planting, excess branches should be pruned off. Protect the plant’s shape from damage as much as possible, as this will help to restore growth at a later stage.
Ideally, plant indoor potted plants in the spring, and repot every two or three years in the late fall or early spring. Repotting too frequently will lead to the death of the plant. If the plant is growing weakly, find out the cause of this and change the flowerpot soil, or replant in a larger pot.
Cut back on water before repotting, so as to keep the soil slightly dry. Remove the soil ball from the pot, keeping it whole, and then prune away any old roots from the bottom and sides. Remove some of the old soil from the middle of the soil ball, replace with new soil, apply a small amount of basal fertilizer, and then cover the plant with new soil. Ensure a suitable pot size – a deep pot will easily accumulate water, leading to root rot.
Pruning
Removal of the lower branches of Table Mountain Pine is a serious mistake, and, if healthy, they should be retained to the base. Pruning or disbudding can be intelligently performed to add much to the natural symmetry. The extraction or removal, early in spring, of the central or terminal bud, will tend to compel the branches which start from the side buds to spread apart and form a much denser growth. Cutting back the previous year’s terminal growth to a strong bud or branchlet on the main limbs over the tree, if the plant is inclined to be thin in its branching, always produces a much denser lateral growth.
Propagation
Table mountain pine is mainly propagated by seeds or branch cuttage. For family planting or potting, cultivated seedlings or pruned potted plants can be purchased from the market. Pay attention to pests, diseases, and appearance when selecting seedlings.
Transplanting
Transplanting can be done at all times of the year, excepting midsummer when they are in full growth. The best success is secured in spring when the buds begin to swell. From the end of August to the middle of September, if there have been abundant rains and the ground has been well soaked, is a very good time to move the plants. They may be planted late in autumn when circumstances compel it, but there is likely to be a considerable percentage of loss. Their roots are very susceptible to injury from exposure to the air, and the utmost vigilance should be exercised to keep them covered and moist.
III. Uses and Benefits
The wood can be used to collect rosin; bark, needles, roots and so on can be comprehensively made into various chemical products; seeds can be extracted for oil.