This pine is a straight-growing, medium-sized species, attaining heights of 20 to 40 metres (66 to 131 ft).

The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of two, 5-to-8-centimetre-long (2.0 to 3.1 in), slender (1-millimetre-thick (0.039 in)), and glossy dark green.

The small, slender cones are 4-to-6-centimetre-long (1.6 to 2.4 in), with weak prickles on the scales that are soon shed.

[2] Pinus glabra differs markedly from most other pines in that it does not occur in largely pure pine forests, but is typically found as scattered trees in moist woodland habitats in mixed hardwood forest.

To be able to compete successfully in such habitats, it has adapted to greater shade tolerance than most other pines.