Editing Pinus rigida (section)

==Distribution and habitat==
Pitch pine is found mainly in the southern areas of the [[northeastern United States]], from coastal [[Maine]] and [[Ohio]] to [[Kentucky]] and northern [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. A few stands occur in southern [[Quebec]] and [[Ontario]], mostly in two pockets along the St. Lawrence River. It is known as a pioneer species and is often the first tree to vegetate a site after it has been cleared away. It is a climax vegetation type in extreme conditions, but in most cases it is replaced by oaks and other hardwoods. This pine occupies a variety of habitats, from dry, acidic sandy uplands to swampy lowlands, and can survive in very poor conditions. It is the primary tree of the [[Atlantic coastal pine barrens|Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion]].<ref name="Moore2008">{{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=Gerry |last2=Kershner |first2=Bruce |display-authors=2 |first3=Craig |last3=Tufts |first4=Daniel |last4=Mathews |first5=Gil |last5=Nelson |last6=Spellenberg |first6=Richard |last7=Thieret |first7=John W. |first8=Terry |last8=Purinton |last9=Block |first9=Andrew |title=National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America |publisher=Sterling |location=New York |year=2008 |page=756 |isbn=978-1-4027-3875-3}}</ref>