I would like identify a pine tree that was told to me to be a hybred. It appears to grow to approximatly 40 feet tall. the needles are flat with a center ridge. Needle length is 1 - 1.5 inches long. The color -that of a blue spruce. Which this tree, I believe is to mimic. This pine tree produces no cones. The most outstanding feature of this tree is that the needles are very soft. I live in north Pa. and the winters here are all up and down the thermometer with wind chills in sub zero range. Also these trees can tolerate very high wind gust and very hot, dry summers. I would really like to locate some more of these trees. Thanks for any help you can give me. Tracy.

-- Tracy Sleeman (equines@westpa.net), April 07, 2002

Answers

Tamarack has soft needles, and needle length is right inline with what you said. The tamarack isa a decidious fir tree. It attains a height of 40 to 80 feet, and its range extends into PA- in localized pockets, it appears. It bears small cones. Not sure what you mean on center ridge of the needles. Another possiblity that comes to mind is colorado spruce. Might try some sort of Larch- european or something. If you say its a hybrid, it may come (1/2 from) the larch/ tamarack/ cedar of lebanon family, they all have the soft needles.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), April 07, 2002.

You can identify pine trees by the number of needles in each bunch. How many needles are in each bunch. Tammerick is also known as Larch and the needles turn yellow/brown in fall and fall off the tree.

-- Paul (treewizard@buffalo.com), April 07, 2002.

eastern white pine ( called Weymouth pine in England ) has its needles in clusters of five. other pines are two or three

-- Deborah Hardy (virgil@igs.net), April 08, 2002.

From your description, I do not believe that you have a "pine" tree. It sounds more like a "fir" tree (short, flat soft needles are characteristics of firs). Many firs do not produce cones until 20 years of age or older. Many firs will produce a balsam fragrance when you crush the needles in your hand. My bet is that you have a fir, sorry I do not have any idea which variety it is. we have many balsam firs in Minnesota. You'll know a balsam my the "boils" or "warts" on its truck. pUncture one of these boils with a jack knife and sap will ooze out. The sap will have a distinctive balsam aroma. --Happy trails, CF

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_MN@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

Tracy, get a good photo of the tree, take off the end of a sprig, getting a good bunch of needles and take both into your County Extension Agent. This is what we pay them for, to help us with questions. If you are anywhere near a Fish and Wildlife office, they might know. Sounds like a very pretty tree. I am wondering if it isn't a Fir tree also, but only the eyes of an expert can tell you. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 08, 2002.