Virginia Pine/Scrub Pine (Pinus virginiana) shows scaly plates on mature tree

2015-5-8 Patuxent Research Center, Anne Arundel County, Laurel, MD
-others are similar, care must be taken, not every tree with off-brown scaly plates is Virginia Pine
-an eastern pine
-leaves/needles come in pairs
-pine cones have prickly spines at the tips of the scales
-usually first tree to fill in dry open areas created by fire or disturbed soil and is used for reclamation
-dead branch stubs pointed upwards are often on trunks
-twigs are green and change to purple-green
-younger bark is brownish-orangish
-older bark is brownish cinnamon and has scaly plates
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/pinus/virginiana.htm