Form: Medium sized 60 - 70 ft. in height and 1-2 ft. in dbh Prymidal in shape.

Needles:
             

Arrangement: paired; two ranked

Length: 1/3-2/3" long

Shape: flattened needles with blunt tips

Other: white stomata below

 

Bark: scaly and thin when young, becoming deeply furrowed and ridged

Cones: small cones (3/4")

Distinguishing characteristics: shortest needles, small cones, terminal stem droops, 2 lines of white stomata below.

Range: New England west to western Kentucky south in the Appalachian mountains. Grows from 1,000 to 5,000 ft. in elevation.

Silvics: very tolerant; cool, moist soils along streams; mountain slopes, uplands

Ecological and cultural importance: Mostly used for pulp. Provides a dense nesting habitat for birds. Seeds are food for birds and mammals. Important in moderating temperatures of stream habitats.