One of the southern yellow pine trees that have native populations in Frederick County is the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). There are some small populations of this tree scattered around Sugarloaf Mountain and College Mountain. Shortleaf pine has the widest range of the southern yellow pines, extending from Northern Florida northward to New York State and westward to Texas.

Shortleaf pine prefers sandy to somewhat rocky, well-drained soils and can be found in a wide variety of sites, ranging from stream bottoms up to rocky ridges. The shortleaf pine does not tolerate heavy clay soils, and it frequently contracts little leaf disease if it is planted on poorly drained soils. This tree is considered to be shade intolerant, meaning that it will not germinate or grow in shady conditions. Shortleaf pine develops a prominent tap root, which can be very extensive in a large tree. It exhibits slow initial growth as the tap root develops, but it maintains a steady development well into maturity. Shortleaf pines are very wind firm, living up to 250 years, and grow to a large size.