Minnesota State Tree

Leaf: Evergreen, 4 to 6 inches long, with two needles per fascicle that snap cleanly when doubled.

Flower: Monoecious; males almost round, light red, in large clusters at branch tips; females a round, short cone, reddish-brown.

Fruit: Cones are ovoid, broad near the base and tapering to a point at the tip; 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long. The apophysis is chestnut brown and the umbo is not armed. Maturing August to October.

Twig: Medium textured, orange-brown in color with orange-brown buds.

Bark: On young trees, red-brown or pink to gray, flaky. Eventually becoming plated, the plates have scaly surfaces.

Form: A medium-size tree with an ovoid crown and a clear bole. Foliage is tufted, resembling a fox tail.