Jack Pine

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Secure (S5) in both Ontario and Quebec with global rank G5. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Locally rare in the Ottawa-Hull corridor per Gillett & White (1978), confined to sandy substrates at Constance Bay Sand Hills, Baskins Beach, and Carp Hills on the Ontario side. More widespread northward across the boreal shield.

S22 G5/S5; S26 not SARA listed; S63 rare in Ottawa-Hull; S62 RS at 3 sites

Rarity Ranks

QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

A fire-adapted pioneer of barren sandy and rocky soils on the Canadian Shield and glacial outwash plains. In the Outaouais, jack pine occurs on sandy podzols and exposed rock flanks, often with Pinus resinosa and Quercus macrocarpa. Historically documented at Kazabazua, Île-Grand-Calumet, and Mont Ste-Marie on south-facing slopes. Serotinous cones ensure rapid recolonization after wildfire, making this species a keystone of boreal fire-succession dynamics.

S63 rare in Ottawa-Hull; S48 Kazabazua, u00cele-Grand-Calumet specimens; S7 dry sandy/rocky sites; S10 fire pioneer

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Wildlife Habitat

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S10 keyword match: prickl (supporting signal only)] | Wildlife Habitat: S72 Hemenway (tables: 7-2, pp. 116)]

Notes

Jack pine has documented allelopathic properties: needle secretions release terpenes when washed by rain, inhibiting germination of understory species including wheat. Roots extend laterally near the soil surface for up to 10 m in sandy soils, competing for moisture. Best used as a standalone canopy species in dry sandy guild plantings rather than in mixed polycultures.

S29 leaf secretions inhibit germination; S11 allelopathic=No (contradicted by S29 terpene data)

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

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Category

Antiseptic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Rubefacient, Vermifuge, Dermatological Aid, Pulmonary Aid, Stimulant

S29 turpentine-based remedies; S28 8 Moerman drug uses

Notes

Turpentine from pine resin is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient, and vermifuge, used internally for kidney/bladder complaints and respiratory ailments (coughs, colds, TB). Externally applied as liniment, poultice, or steam bath for skin complaints, wounds, and burns. Woodland Cree used inner bark poultices for deep cuts. Potawatomi and Ojibwa used needle fumigants to clear congested lungs and revive comatose patients. Menominee considered every part of the tree medicinally useful.

S29 turpentine uses; S28 Cree, Ojibwa, Potawatomi, Menominee uses

Edibility & Foraging

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✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Inner bark was eaten raw or cooked by the Woodland Cree and could be dried and ground into flour for bread or soup thickener. Seeds are edible but very small (2-3 mm). Young cones can be cooked. A refreshing tea is made from the needles, and a vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of pulpwood resins.

S28 Cree inner bark food use; S29 seed, inner bark, needle tea, vanillin

Toxicity

△ Low Toxicity

Not listed in Cornell poisonous plants database. USDA toxicity rating is None. However, wood sawdust and resins from pine species can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

S38 not listed; S11 Toxicity=None; S29 sawdust/resin dermatitis in sensitive people

Seed Source

• Arboquebecium