Family: Pinaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine, scrub pine, or Jersey pine) is native to the eastern United States, where it commonly grows in dry, rocky, and otherwise poor soils. It is a small to medium-sized pine with a somewhat irregular form, short yellow-green needles in pairs, and small cones that persist on the branches. Because it is hardy and tolerant of difficult growing conditions, it has been used in forestry, land reclamation, erosion control, and as a windbreak. It is also occasionally planted for ornamental use and Christmas tree production due to its dense branching and adaptability.

Risks & Threats
This species is considered low risk for naturalization and is not known to be established in the Hawaiian Islands. While pines in general can sometimes spread under suitable conditions, Pinus virginiana has limited evidence of invasiveness outside its native range, especially in tropical island environments like Hawaiʻi. Potential concerns are relatively minor and mainly relate to general pine traits, such as needle litter accumulation and flammability in dry conditions. Overall, it poses minimal ecological threat in Hawaiʻi, though continued monitoring is always a good practice when non-native trees are introduced.

High Risk Traits:

• Reported to be naturalized in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada
  
• Aggressive invader of burned sites
  
• Related Pinus species have become highly invasive
  
• Can modify soil chemistry and increase acidity
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Can form dense thickets in native range
  
• Self-fertilization is possible
  
• May reach maturity in 3 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and gravity

Low Risk Traits:

• Temperate tree could probably only be grown at higher elevations of tropical countries
  
• Palatable to deer and possibly other grazing animals (could prevent spread)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Shade-intolerant
  
• Will not spread vegetatively
  
• Killed by wildfire (but rapidly colonizes burned areas)
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value (Christmas tree)