Depending on the species, pine trees grow to greatly varying heights. From a dwarf tree at a short height of 4 feet to a variety that reaches 100 feet in maturity, there are several options for your landscape. Identify different species, their features, growth rates and expected heights for a broad selection.
Care for Appropriate Growth
Provide excellent care to pine trees so they reach their full potential height. Plant pine trees in areas exposed to full sun. Grow pines in preferred moist, slightly acid, well-drained soil with good fertility. Add mulch to the area surrounding trees for increased water retention and to prevent problematic weeds, according to the Clemson University Extension.
Dwarf Pine Trees
Dwarf cultivars of the mugo pine tree (Pinus mugo) reach a height range of 2 to 5 feet. Cultivars include Gnom, which reaches a height of 2 feet with a spread of 3 feet, and Compacta, which reaches a height of 4 feet with a width of 5 feet. Mugo pines are slow growers, averaging under 1 foot of growth annually. Foliage is needle-like and evergreen, fading to a yellow-green color during the winter season. Cones measure up to 2 inches in length.
Short Pine Trees
Virginia pines (Pinus virginiana), also referred to as scrub pines, reach a height of 15 to 40 feet with a spread of 10 to 30. These short evergreen pine trees display dark green to yellow-green needle-like foliage that yellows during the winter months. Exhibiting a slow growth rate of less than 1 foot annually, Virginia pines produce cones that measure 2 to 3 inches in length. Standard mugo pines also grow to a height range of 15 to 20 feet with a spread of 20 to 25.
Medium Pine Trees
Medium pines include spruce pines (Pinus glabra) that reach a height of 50 to 90 feet. Longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) are another medium pine species with a height range of 55 to 80 feet. Spruce pines display dark green needle-like foliage with a twisted appearance as well as cones that reach up to 2 1/2 inches. Spruce pines are known for their fast growth rate. Longleaf pines display dark green needle-like foliage and cones that reach 6 to 10 inches long. Growth rate is variable, beginning as a slow process within the first 10 years of life and progressing to a faster rate of 2 feet of new growth annually.
Tall Pine Trees
Tall pines reach 100 feet or more. Though white pine (Pinus strobus) may remain at a height of 50 to 80 feet, it has the potential to reach 150-plus feet in maturity, according to the Clemson University Extension. White pines display blue-green needles at a rapid growth rate of over 2 feet every year. Slash pines (Pinus elliottii) are a more reliably tall variety with an ultimate height of 100 feet. Slash pines display dark green needle-like foliage and glossy brown cones that measure 3 to 6 inches in length; slash pine grows quickly at more than 2 feet of new annual growth.