Attains a height of 30'-40' on dry, rocky and
gravelly slopes and ridge tops in the southcentral and southeastern counties.
Not usually used for lumber due to its small size, it can display aggressive growth
suited to protecting rocky slopes from erosion.
Needles in clusters of 2, 2"-4" long, light bluish-green,
stout and very stiff, twisted and sharp-pointed, tufted at the ends of branches,
persisting 2-3 years.
Twigs
Stout, rather brittle, at first smooth and light orange to
purplish, later rather rough and dark brown.
Fruit
Cones 3"-4" long, sessile, in whorls of 2-7, oblique
at the base, light brown, egg-shaped. Cone scales much thickened and tipped with
a strong, curved spine.
Bark
Dark reddish-brown, roughened by shallow fissures into irregular
plates which peel off in thin films.
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