Family Code: PINACE Genus Code: PINUS Genus CN: pine Genus Authority: L. Genus Summary: A genus of about 110 species, trees, of the Northern Hemisphere, south to Central America. The State Tree of North Carolina is the “Pine,” the species left (artfully and politically?) ambiguous. Genus Identification: Identification notes: Young saplings generally have shorter needles than larger saplings and mature trees; measurements in the key are those of mature trees. Seedlings have needles single, rather than fascicled. “Cones” in the key below refers to mature (brown) female cones. Genus References: Kral in FNA (1993b); Silba (2011)=Z; Duncan & Duncan (1988); Wang & Wang (2014); Gernandt et al. (2005); Price, Liston, & Strauss (1998); Richardson (1998); Page in Kramer & Green (1990). Last Updated: 2019-11-29 Publish: 1