Are the needles 5"-10" long, cones 3"-6" long?
CLUE: The tree is native to the Great Plains and farther west. It is a ponderosa pine.

OR

Are the needles 7"-10" long, cones 3"-6" long?
CLUE: The tree is native to the southeastern states, especially along the coastal plain. It is a slash pine.

OR

Are the needles 3"-5" long, cones 1 1/2"-2 1/2" long?
CLUE: The tree is native to the southern states and north to central Missouri across to Pennsylvania. It is a shortleaf pine.