Pitch Pine - Ellicott Rock Wilderness, SC - photo by Will Blozan

Fallen Pitch Pine -  Ellicott Rock Wilderness, SC - photo by Will Blozan

• Historic Pitch Pine ENTS, After hearing of this Pitch pine measuring frenzy, I thought I'd mention its historical use in the Northeast.  It is classified as a hard pine and once sawed out, it is impossible to distinguish from other Southern hard pines.   It was a preferred material in the houses and barns (especially Dutch) of the Albany, New York area in the 18th century.  Whole timber frames and floors are often hard pine.  Several barns have been documented with anchorbeams of Pitch pine measuring 12" x 24" by thirty two feet long!  That tree would have to be at least 28 inches in diameter at 33' up.  Fifty foot 10" x 12" timbers are common.  I have a sample cut out of the middle of one such timber (10 x 12) and I counted 350 rings.  I know of a cut-off from a 12x24 that I can count also.  Obviously, these were large trees compared to what survives.  An old barn enthusiast once told me he knew a living pitch pine large enough and straight enough to get a 12" x... more »  Feb 9, 2010.
• PA Pitch Pine Record
• Witch's Brooms, NJ
• Pitch Pine discussions Feb 2008