User:Dank/List of forest-inventory conifers east of the Mississippi

Fraser fir in the Great Smoky Mountains

Silvics of North America (1991), a forest inventory compiled and published by the United States Forest Service, includes many conifers in states east of the Mississippi River. It superseded Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States (1965), which was the first extensive American tree inventory.

All of the conifers in the inventory except the larches and some bald cypresses are evergreens. Apart from two species in the yew family, all are in either the pine family (including firs, larches, spruces, pines, Douglas firs and hemlocks) or the cypress family (including junipers, redwoods, giant sequoias, bald cypresses and four genera of cedars).

Softwood from North American conifers has a variety of commercial uses. The sturdier timber is used for plywood, wood veneer and construction framing, including structural support beams and studs. Milled logs can be fashioned into posts, poles and railroad ties. Less sturdy timber is often ground and processed into pulpwood, principally for papermaking. Resins from sap yield pine tar, turpentine and other terpenes.

Key

States in this list (see the Distribution column): AL Alabama CT Connecticut DE Delaware FL Florida GA Georgia IL Illinois IN Indiana KY Kentucky MA Massachusetts MD Maryland ME Maine MI Michigan MS Mississippi NC North Carolina NH New Hampshire NJ New Jersey NY New York OH Ohio PA Pennsylvania RI Rhode Island TN Tennessee VA Virginia VT Vermont WI Wisconsin WV West Virginia

These are often divided up into

New England: CT MA ME NH RI VT

The Mid-Atlantic: DE MD NJ NY PA VA WV

The Southeast: AL FL GA MS NC SC TN (not including KY)

The Midwestern states east of the Mississippi, sometimes called the eastern Midwest: IL IN MI OH WI

Conifers

Conifers

Species and a common name	Notes and commercial uses	Distri­bution avg height; growth rate	Limits for soil pH, annual precipitation and low temperature	Tolerance: (D)rought (F)ire, (L)iming and (S)hade	Landscapes, bark and cones with foliage
Abies balsamea (balsam fir)	A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. Horizontal blisters in the bark contain aromatic Canada balsam. Uses: construction, landscaping, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers, winter holiday decorations	IN MI OH WI, New England and the Mid-Atlantic except for DE — 60 ft (18 m); slow	pH 4.0–6.0 13–60 in (33–152 cm) −43 °F (−42 °C)	D: low F: low L: low S: tolerant
Abies fraseri (Fraser fir)	The only fir with a range limited to the southern Appalachians. It provides watershed protection, and is grown commercially for winter holidays. Uses: landscaping, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations	GA NC TN VA — 55 ft (17 m); moderate	pH 3.5–5.5 45–100 in (110–250 cm) −23 °F (−31 °C)	D: low F: low L: low S: tolerant
Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar)	Usually found in swamps and marshes. The decay-resistant wood retains commercial value in the Southeast, although harvesting has considerably reduced its acreage. Uses: construction, landscaping, posts	AL MS and every state on the Atlantic coast — 50 ft (15 m); moderate	pH 3.5–6.3 40–70 in (100–180 cm) −36 °F (−38 °C)	D: none F: medium L: none S: medium
Picea rubens (red spruce)	The straight-grained wood is lightweight but strong. It is the most popular choice in many stringed instruments for its resonance. Uses: construction, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, veneers	NC TN, the Mid-Atlantic except for DE, and New England except for RI — 110 ft (34 m); moderate	pH 4.0–5.8 28–52 in (71–132 cm) −47 °F (−44 °C)	D: medium F: none L: low S: tolerant
Pinus nigra (Austrian pine)	Not a native tree, but it has been in cultivation in the US since the 1700s for timber and as an ornamental tree. Its range may extend slightly west of the Mississippi. Uses: landscaping, veneers, winter holiday decorations	IL MA MD ME MI MS NJ NY OH PA — 120 ft (37 m); moderate	pH 5.5–7.5 35–50 in (89–127 cm) −38 °F (−39 °C)	D: medium F: low L: high S: intolerant
Pinus pungens (Table Mountain pine)	Mostly valued for watershed management and pulpwood. Uses: construction, landscaping, pulpwood	GA IL MD NC NJ PA SC TN VA WV — 50 ft (15 m); slow	pH 4.5–7.0 36–60 in (91–152 cm) −18 °F (−28 °C)	D: high F: low L: low S: intolerant
Pinus resinosa (red pine)	One of the fastest-growing conifer species. The wood is straight-grained and moderately hard. Some of it is milled for railroad ties and cabin logs. Uses: construction, landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations	IL IN NC WI, New England and the Mid-Atlantic except for DE — 80 ft (24 m); rapid	pH 4.5–6.0 15–60 in (38–152 cm) −43 °F (−42 °C)	D: low F: low L: none S: intolerant
Pinus rigida (pitch pine)	Rigida (rigid) refers to the needles and cone scales. The wood, resinous and rot-resistant, is suitable for shipbuilding, mine timbers, fencing and railroad ties. Uses: landscaping, posts, pulpwood, terpenes, winter holiday decorations	GA IL IN KY NC OH SC TN, the Mid-Atlantic and New England — 80 ft (24 m); rapid	pH 3.5–5.1 37–56 in (94–142 cm) −43 °F (−42 °C)	D: medium F: low L: low S: intolerant
Pinus serotina (pond pine)	Valued as a tree that produces pulpwood in wetter conditions than most pines will tolerate. Uses: construction, pulpwood	DE MD NJ VA and the Southeast except for TN and MS — 80 ft (24 m); moderate	pH 4.8–6.8 40–60 in (100–150 cm) −3 °F (−19 °C)	D: none F: medium L: medium S: intolerant
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine)	One of the most commercially important trees in eastern North America, in part due to its rapid growth. The timber is durable but soft enough for woodworking. Uses: construction, landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers, winter holiday decorations	All states east of the Mississippi except FL and MS — 150 ft (46 m); rapid	pH 4.0–6.5 20–80 in (51–203 cm) −33 °F (−36 °C)	D: none F: none L: none S: medium
Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)	The most widely planted non-native pine species in North America, valued for winter holidays and erosion control as well as pulpwood. Its range may extend slightly west of the Mississippi. Uses: landscaping, pulpwood, winter holiday decorations	New England, the eastern Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic except for VA and WV — 110 ft (34 m); rapid	pH 5.0–7.5 24–45 in (61–114 cm) −36 °F (−38 °C)	D: medium F: low L: low S: intolerant
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae)	The termite- and rot-resistant wood, durable in a range of outdoor conditions, is used in fencing, cabin logs and roof shingles. Uses: construction, landscaping, posts, pulpwood, veneers	NC SC TN, the eastern Midwest, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic except for DE — 50 ft (15 m); slow	pH 5.2–7.0 35–55 in (89–140 cm) −33 °F (−36 °C)	D: low F: low L: high S: medium
Torreya taxifolia (Florida nutmeg)	An endangered evergreen in the yew family. Uses: landscaping, posts, winter holiday decorations	FL GA — 40 ft (12 m); moderate	pH 5.0–7.0 30–60 in (76–152 cm) 12 °F (−11 °C)	D: low F: none L: medium S: tolerant	Seed and foliage pictured, lower right (not cone)
Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)	Shade-tolerant, long-lived and slow-growing. Historically, it provided tannin for curing leather. Uses: construction, landscaping, pulpwood	IN MI OH WI, the Mid-Atlantic, New England and the Southeast except for FL and MS — 105 ft (32 m); slow	pH 4.2–5.7 32–55 in (81–140 cm) −33 °F (−36 °C)	D: low F: medium L: none S: tolerant

See also

• List of gymnosperm families
• List of forest-inventory conifers in Canada

References

• Beck, Donald E. (1991). "Abies fraseri". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 47–51. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Blum, Barton M. (1991). "Picea rubens". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 250–259. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Bramlett, David L. (1991). "Pinus serotina". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 470–475. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H., eds. (1991). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Della-Bianca, Lino (1991). "Pinus pungens". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 425–432. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Frank, Robert M. (1991). "Abies balsamea". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 26–34. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Godman, R. M.; Lancaster, Kenneth (1991). "Tsuga canadensis". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 604–611. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Johnston, William F. (1991). "Larix laricina; Thuja occidentalis". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 141–151, 580–587. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Little, Silas; Garrett, Peter W. (1991). "Pinus rigida". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 456–462. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• National Plant Data Team (2024). "USDA Plants Database". Washington, DC, US: Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
• POWO (2019). "Plants of the World Online". London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved January 10, 2023. See their terms-of-use license.
• Rudolf, Paul O. (1991). "Pinus resinosa". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 442–455. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Skilling, Darrell D. (1991). "Pinus sylvestris". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 489–496. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Stalter, Richard (1991). "Torreya taxifolia". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 601–603. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Van Haverbeke, David F. (1991). "Pinus nigra". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 395–404. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Wendel, G. W.; Smith, H. Clay (1991). "Pinus strobus". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 476–488. ISBN 978-0160292606.
• Zobel, Donald B. (1991). "Chamaecyparis thyoides". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America, Volume 1. Conifers. Washington, DC: US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (US Government Printing Office). pp. 88–96. ISBN 978-0160292606.