Climate

The annual precipitation rate in the native range of the Virginia pine averages between 35 and 55 inches annually and is fairly well distributed throughout the year. Rainfall is usually the greatest in the southwestern portion of the range. The climate throughout most of the range is considered to be humid (Virginia pine, ncsu.edu).

Summer temperatures average about 70 to 75 degrees F while winter temperatures range from 25 to 40 degrees F. The average number of frost free days varies from more than 225 on the eastern and southern edge of the piedmont to 160 days on the more mountainous areas to the west and the north (Virginia pine, ncsu.edu).

Soils and Topography

The Virginia pine grows well on a variety of soils derived from marine deposits, crystalline rocks, sandstones, and shales, as well as from limestone. The Virginia pine grows best on clay, loam, or sandy loam; it generally does poorly on serpentine soils, shallow shaly soils, and very sandy soils. It thrives only in moderately well drained to well drained soils and is less tolerant of wet sites and impeded drainage than other types of pines. The Virginia pine generally tolerates soil acidities ranging from pH 4.6 to 7.9. Soil beneath a Virginia Pine was more acidic and contained more organic matter than soil under other types of pines (Virginia pine, ncsu.edu).

The virginia Pine is usually found at elevations of about 50 to 2,500 feet. It Commonly grows up on abandoned farmland throughout its range (Virginia pine, ncsu.edu).

Image from NCSU dendrology webpage

Needles: From one to three inches long, in fascicles of 2, yellow-green to gray-green, twisted, often divergent, persistent until the third or forth year; resin canals 2, medial. In the hypoderm, the heavy-walled cells are relativley inconspicuos and usually occur in a single row (or two). In jack and lodgepole pines, both with similar structure, 2 to 3 rows of heavy-walled cells are usually present (Harlow, p.98)

Twigs: At first green, becoming purplish glaucous, by the end of the season and through the first winter (Harlow, p.98).

Cones: 1 to 3 inches long, usually sessile, ovoid-conic, usually not persistent for more than 3 or 4 years, the scales thin; apophysis reddish brown; umbo dorsal and armed with a slender pickle; seeds are about 1/4" long, oval, light brown, wings terminal, usually broadest in the middle; about 55,400 seeds to the pound (Harlow, pp. 98-99).

Bark: Thin and smooth, eventually scaly plated, reddish brown (Harlow, p. 99).

Height: usually around 40 feet (Harlow, p.99).