The cones are 'top' shaped and remain unopened on the tree for many years. It grows in full sun up to 80 feet. The small yellowish brown flowers are borne on the ends of the branches in spring. While it tolerates many soil types, it prefers slightly acidic soil. The yellowish green needles are six to ten inches long and are in bundles of three.
Sharp spines line the tips of the three to six inch brown cones.
This pine does not have a deep root system and is easy to transplant. A rather widespread pine, it can be found in old fields, uplands and low woodlands from northern to just below central Florida. All these factors must be taken into consideration to properly identify the pines because occasionally trees within the same species have characteristics similar to other species. Some pines occur throughout the state. Others are limited to specific habitats.