Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - August 16, 2009

From: Arlington, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Trees
Title: Pine trees for West Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have two acres in the Canaan Valley, West Va. and would like to plant pine trees. What type would you recommend that the deers won't eat and the cold climate won't kill.

ANSWER:

There are seven species of pines native to West Virginia and all of them either occur in Tucker County or in a county adjacent to it.  All pines are somewhat resistant to deer and all except the first two on the list are also named on deer resistant lists.  All of these species can withstand cold temperatures that occur in West Virginia since they are native to the area, plus most of them also occur in states and provinces north of your state.

Pinus banksiana (jack pine) and here are photos and more information from Virginia Tech and the US Forest Service.

Pinus pungens (Table Mountain pine) and here are photos and more information from Virginia Tech and the US Forest Service.

Pinus rigida (pitch pine) is deer resistant according to TreeNames.net and the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Department.  Here are photos and more information from the University of Connecticut and the US Forest Service.

Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) is deer resistant according to TreeNames.net.  Here is information from the US Forest Service.

Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine) is deer resistant according to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Department.  Here is information from the US Forest Service.

Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine) is deer resistant according to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Department.  Here is information from the US Forest Service.

Pinus resinosa (red pine) is deer resistant according to is deer resistant according to TreeNames.net and Twombly Nursery in Monroe, Connecticut.  Here are more photos and information from the University of Connecticut and the US Forest Service.


Pinus strobus

Pinus virginiana

Pinus echinata

 

 

More Trees Questions

Planting Live oak trees in Katy, TX.
November 03, 2012 - We are building a house in a neighborhood where the HOA requires two live oaks in the front yard. Our lot is pie shaped leaving a very small front yard once you take into acct the driveway and sidewal...
view the full question and answer

Flaming sumacs in trouble in Wimberley TX
August 31, 2010 - I planted three flaming sumacs last fall and all leafed out this spring. Then, early this month all the leaves turned brown on one and it appears to have died. Today I noticed that a second one is d...
view the full question and answer

Watering practices for live oaks in drought from New Braunfels TX
September 04, 2011 - We have conflicting info about watering live oaks. An arborist says to water now using soaker hoses or small sprinklers and a landscaper who spoke to our garden club said that after August is too late...
view the full question and answer

Precautions regarding pruning live oaks in the Austin area.
October 27, 2015 - Is it still recommended that we clean pruning shears and spray wounds when pruning live oaks in the Austin area?
view the full question and answer

Controlling a shrub/tree with lots of thorns and flowers similar to beebrush, but lots of thorns
July 08, 2014 - I live in Horseshoe Bay, Llano County with 1.5 acres of natural habitat. There is a plant that I have always called Cat's Claw but in researching Cat's Claw, I may have misidentified it. It has a fl...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.