There were three on this property when I purchased it in the mid-60's. I'm told they were planted by a former owner, who obtained them as live Christmas trees.
They were fairly large trees at the time and it was obvious that they were planted too close together. I removed the center one, which was the runt of the 3, but there was still insufficient spacing between the remaining ones. One was near a HV power line and began to decline at about age 30 and was finally removed. The remaining one lasted another 10 years, but finally declined and then became infested with Pine Beetles and had to be removed.
They were probably forced into decline by the growth of nearby Oaks and a Maple tree that outgrew them and provided too much shade, but they managed to attain a height of 50-60ft. during their lifetime.
They are a magnificent specimen tree for a large landscape, and do well, as long as they have sufficient sunlight and good drainage.
Below is a report from the Forest Service about the VA Pine and it's natural habitat and range.
Good luck!
Rb

Here is a link that might be useful: Virginia Pine

I supposedly have some Virginia Pines in my yard. 3 years ago, we had our yard landscaped. We were left with a bare steep hill from the original subdivision construction. The landscaper planted a combination of loblollys and Virginia pines. I did lose one VP this past winter, not sure why. Not as many VP seedlings come up as the loblollys do, but I have some.

It's a nicer form tree and last year during the ice storm, they looked beautiful and did not get weighed down from the ice like the loblollies did (I had to stake them, some of them were pulled right out of the ground).

Buford, are you sure you're not looking at shortleaf pine? I have quite a few shortleaf pine in the woods around here but not VA pine. I do see lots and lots of VA pine planted around in landscaping projects. We may be just on the fringe of the VA pine native range. Sort of like with White pine.

I live a little NW of Savannah and they live here. They're grown for Christmas trees and are sold by the Georgia Forestry Commission. I have a few on my property. It's outside their natural range, but they don't seem to mind.

Ichabod

As I said, I was told they were Virginia pine, but maybe not:)

I have quite a few Pinus echinata, Shortleaf pine. A defining characteristic for me is that the cones persist on the branches for a LONG time. Like years. When dead branches fall on the ground, they still have cones stuck to them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinus echinata

I did dig up one and it had a long tap root, but that was a 'native' one, not one that was planted.

Does anybody know a good way to dig up 'volunteer' pine trees that pop up just about everywhere and transplant them? They always seem to be in the hardest places to dig up (in between rocks). I tried to transplant two earlier this year but they died. I have a few growing in my front yard that are getting quite big and will need to be moved. And I have a BALD spot on my hill that will be perfect. I guess waiting till fall is a good idea.

Have you tried loblolly pines (The most common pine around these parts) or one of those shortleaf/virginia/questionmark pines? Pines that have a long tap root are difficult to transplant and historically I've not had success with that either. However I've found it a snap to transplant white pines. They are real easy to transplant only I'm guessing you don't have too many of those sprouting up in your yard.You should be able to get to the loblollies though.

If you prefer, you can order seedlings from the GA Forestry Commission for late fall delivery. They also have planting instructions for the species you want. VA Pine, along with other Pinus species, are available in small bundles(50). Share any excess with your friends and neighbors or with permission, plant them in a public area that needs reforestation.
Rb

Here is a link that might be useful: Georgia Forestry Commission-Seedlings

Thanks. I did try loblollies, but they were the ones that died. I think they were too small. This time I'm going to let them get bigger then transplant them, and wait till fall so it's not too hot/dry.

i have a virginia pine, planted from a seedling give-away by the city of auburn in the mid-80's, and it is doing just fine in zone 8. i would estimate it to be about 40' tall.

I think VP is a shorter tree, 30ft to 40 ft maximum height.

Shortleaf is about the height of Loblolly; there is also a Spruce Pine. Between Shortleaf and Spruce, the cones are a different size.

The only place I find native pines is at a HD on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd, at Pike St. in Lawrenceville, GA.

It seems everyone is selling exotics; nobody wants the natives.

I see pines at HD fom time to time but are seldom labeled.

I can recommend the seedlings from GA forestry commission. I got a bundle of 50 pines in February and they are doing great. I think 49 of them made it (my fault, I'm sure, I planted them next to the property line for eventual screening and they are out of my usual observation area).

I have had ZERO luck transplanting even small volunteer pines. I don't know what it is with them!

"I can recommend the seedlings from GA forestry commission."

How do arrange a pickup? Are the trees available year-round?

You can have them delivered at no charge to your nearest Georgia Forestry office. See the link for more information; they are delivered Dec 1 through Feb only. They take orders starting July 1 (some varieties like Cedar sell out fast).

Here is a link that might be useful: How to order seedlings

Ha. I've seen that before. Kind of strange for the forestry commission to be selling Sawtooth Oak and Cwepe Moitles.

I know, I'm so embarrassed.