Growers favor this tree as it grows moderately fast, responds well to shaping, and is a prolific seed producer whose seeds store well. This is the most popular of the short-needled pines for use as a Christmas tree. The blue-green needles are densely packed and needle retention is excellent. Pines are of great importance to wildlife. Pine seeds are eaten by many birds, particularly the red crossbill, Clarke nutcracker and white-headed woodpecker.
Pines serve as valuable roosting places for birds and as cover for wildlife.
Several songbird species use the needles as nest material. This tree is one of the most picturesque pines planted in Iowa. The distorted shape makes this an excellent tree for specimen and group planting. Cultivars include 'Argentea,' with pronounced silvery foliage, and 'Beuvronensis,' a low, slow-growing, bushy form. This species is recommended for conservation plantings in western Iowa because of its resistance to drought and tolerance of calcareous soils.