Red Pine is an evergreen tree characterized by
tall, straight growth in a variety of habitats. It usually ranges
from 20-35 m in height and 1 m in trunk diameter, but can exceed
that in optimal conditions, exceptionally reaching 43 m tall
(Gymnosperm Database). The crown is conical in young trees,
becoming a narrow rounded dome with age. The bark is thick and
gray-brown at the base of the tree, but thin, flaky and bright
orange-red in the upper crown; the tree's name derives from this
distinctive character. Some red color may be seen in the fissures
of the bark. Red Pine is self pruning; there tend not to be dead
branches on the trees, and older trees may have very long lengths
of branchless trunk below the canopy. The leaves are needle-like,
dark green, in fascicles of two, 12-18 cm long, and brittle. The
leaves snap cleanly when bent; this character, stated as diagnostic
for Red Pine in some texts, is however shared by several other pine
species. The cones are symmetrical ovoid, 4-6 cm long, 2.5 cm broad
and green before maturity, ripening nut-brown and opening to 4-5 cm
broad, the scales without a prickle and almost
stalkless.
Beware of
muggles.
Have fun, Be safe,
and BYOP.
There is a number on the log sheet. You may want to
write it down for the final exam.
Grey Wolf's Stamp of
Approval.
This cache may be located in a public park
with posted hours. It is your responsibility to be aware of and
adhere to any hours of operation. Logs indicating caching outside
of those hours will be deleted.