Scientific Name: Pinus banksiana
Other Common Names: Eastern Jack Pine, Gray Pine, Black Pine, Scrub Pine
Identification Characteristics: Leaves needle-like and in bundles of two; needles 2-4cm in length.
Other Interesting Characteristics: This tree is fire adapted and produces both open and closed (serotinous) cones. The serotinous cones are sealed closed with a resin that requires extreme temperatures of fires in order to open up and reseed burned ground. Jack Pine stands in a small area on the lower peninsula of Michigan are also home to the Kirtland's Warbler, an endangered bird that depends on pure stands of young Jack Pine for its survival.
