Young trees are rather open in form, while older trees are pyramidal and rather irregular in shape with upright branches. Growth rate can be as much as a foot a year. This pine often develops a taproot. Jack pine prefers sunny conditions.

The needles reach two inches in length and are borne in bundles of two. They are a medium green color.

Cones may be produced on young trees (less than five years) - both male and female cones grow on the same tree. The cones take two years to mature, and may remain closed, as this is a tree that often germinates following a fire in natural conditions. The cones are rounded-to-oblong and one-to-two inches in length. They tend to point forward along the branches.

These trees are grown from seed and are three years old.