Arkansas State Tree: Pine Tree

Pine trees hold official recognition as Arkansas's state tree. The designation covers all four native pine species rather than a single variety. Loblolly pine and shortleaf pine dominate Arkansas forests today. Both species can reach heights of 100 feet at maturity. Loblolly pine grows faster and typically reaches maturity in 30 to 40 years. Shortleaf pine grows more slowly but lives longer.

Pine bark appears reddish-brown and develops deep fissures with age. The bark breaks into irregular scaly plates on older specimens. The needles bundle in groups of two or three, depending on the species. Loblolly pine needles measure 5 to 8 inches long. Shortleaf pine needles grow slightly shorter at 3 to 5 inches. The cones vary in size from 2 to 6 inches depending on species. Pine trees produce both male and female cones on the same tree.

Arkansas pine forests cover over 5 million acres across the state. The trees grow most abundantly in the southern and eastern portions. Arkansas hosts two national forests—Ouachita National Forest and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Both forests contain extensive pine stands mixed with hardwoods. Before European settlement, forests covered 95 percent of Arkansas. Pine dominated approximately 17 percent of those original forests.

The common name is Pine Tree, referring to the genus Pinus. Arkansas's designation includes four native species. Loblolly pine carries the scientific name Pinus taeda. Shortleaf pine is Pinus echinata. Longleaf pine is Pinus palustris. Slash pine is Pinus elliottii. All belong to the Pinaceae family, the pine family.

Loblolly pine gets its name from low-lying wet areas where it commonly grows. The term 'loblolly' refers to a mudhole or mire. Shortleaf describes the species' shorter needles compared to longleaf pine. The name longleaf comes from needles that grow 6 to 18 inches long. Lumber operators historically called shortleaf pine 'yellow pine' for its yellowish wood color.

Arkansas named the Pine Tree as its state tree on January 20, 1939. State Representative Boyd Tackett of Pike County introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 2 on January 11. The measure faced no opposition and won final approval nine days later. The resolution emphasized pine timber resources as 'one of the greatest sources of wealth' for Arkansas.

The legislature chose pine for its economic importance to Arkansas's timber industry. By 1939, the lumber industry had already transformed Arkansas's economy. Railroads expanded in the late 19th century, providing access to external markets. Arkansas timber left the state at rapid rates, generating substantial revenue. The resolution specifically noted that pine timber represented 'one of the few renewable resources of the state.'

Reforestation efforts influenced the selection. By 1939, extensive logging had depleted much of Arkansas's original forest. The Arkansas Forestry Commission, established in 1930, worked to restore forest lands. The Civilian Conservation Corps helped reseed cleared areas and establish new pine plantations. The state tree designation supported these conservation efforts by recognizing pine timber's ongoing importance to Arkansas's future economic position.

Arkansas's state flower is the Apple Blossom (Pyrus coronaria), adopted in 1901. The Apple Blossom earned its designation 38 years before the Pine Tree. Both serve as official symbols of Arkansas. The pink and white apple blossoms bloom in April and May across Arkansas orchards. Pine trees, meanwhile, dominate the state's forests year-round. The apple represented Arkansas's agricultural heritage when the state was a major apple producer. The pine symbolizes Arkansas's timber industry and forest resources that continue driving the state's economy.

Pine trees display several identifying features. The reddish-brown bark develops deep furrows forming irregular plates. Mature bark appears rough and scaly. Young bark shows a smoother texture with a more orange-brown color. Resin often seeps from bark wounds, creating sticky patches.

The needles grow in bundles called fascicles. Loblolly and shortleaf pines produce three needles per bundle. Longleaf pine grows three needles per bundle but they measure much longer. The needles appear dark green and flexible. They remain on the tree for about two years before dropping. Dead brown needles accumulate beneath pine trees, creating a soft forest floor.

The growth form produces a straight central trunk. Young pines develop a pyramidal shape with branches extending to the ground. Mature trees lose lower branches, concentrating foliage near the top. The crown becomes irregular and rounded with age. Cones hang from upper branches, opening to release seeds. Small pollen cones appear in spring, releasing yellow clouds of pollen that dust everything nearby.

The Pine Tree represents economic resilience and renewal in Arkansas culture. Its designation as a renewable resource symbolizes sustainable forestry practices. The tree's rapid growth reflects Arkansas's industrial development. For many Arkansans, pine forests evoke the state's rural heritage and natural beauty. The tree's commercial importance embodies Arkansas's connection to timber industry traditions that shaped communities across the state.