Habitat:
Red pine grows best in northern climates with low to moderate rainfall,
and occurs on hills, ridges, outcrops and flatwoods. It thrives on exposed,
dry, acid, sandy or gravely soils and requires full sun; but grows poorly
or dies on wet, clay or calcareous soils. Natural stands originate after
fire, or follow Jack pine (P.
banksiana) after logging and in cutovers.
Diseases: Red pines growing in acid soils are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Pine tussock moth, Nantucket pine-tip moth, cankers, rusts, Diplodia needle tip blight, pine looper and Pales weevil may be problematic on red pine. Plantation-grown trees are subject to root rot fungus.
Distribution: The red pine is native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland to Manitoba, extending into the northern regions of midwestern and northeastern US, and is Minnesota's state tree. It is planted throughout Iowa, but is not native here.
