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Pinus strobus
Pinus strobus L.
Eastern White Pine, Weymouth Pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Synonym(s): Strobus strobus
USDA Symbol: PIST
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Eastern white pine is a stately canopy tree, 75-200+ ft. tall; sometimes much taller. Gracefully plume-like in outline, white pine is very distinctive when compared to other conifers. Its branches are horizontal and tiered. Tufts of light- to bluish-green needles are borne in feathery clusters of five only toward the ends of the twigs. Cones are 6-8 in. long. The largest northeastern conifer, a magnificent evergreen tree with straight trunk and crown of horizontal branches, 1 row added a year, becoming broad and irregular.
The largest conifer and formerly the most valuable tree of the Northeast, Eastern White Pine is used for construction, millwork, trim, and pulpwood. Younger trees and plantations have replaced the once seemingly inexhaustible lumber supply of virgin forests. The tall straight trunks were prized for ship masts in the colonial period. It is the state tree of Maine, the Pine Tree State; the pine cone and tassel are the state's floral emblem. The seeds were introduced in England (where it is called Weymouth Pine) from Maine in 1605 by Captain George Weymouth of the British Navy.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Fascicled
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to about 200 feet tall. Trunk diameter up to about 6 feet.
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Yellow , Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Nf. to Man., s. to PA, n.e. OH, n. IL & n.e. IA; mts. to GA; local in w. KY, w. TN & DE
Native Habitat: Upland, mesic sand or loam sites; north slopes; rocky stream banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Fertile, moist, well-drained soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Attracts birds and mammals for food and shelter.Use Other: White pine has been used in construction, interior and exterior finishing, furniture, cabinets and carvings. (Kershaw)
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Sow stratified seed outside in fall. It will be several years before the seedlings show any rapid growth.Seed Treatment: Stratify seed for 60 days.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1995 VOL. 12, NO.6 - Mission in Review, Fire and Landscape Ecology, The Little House, Essays on the B...Additional resources
USDA: Find Pinus strobus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinus strobus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus strobus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-09-20Research By: TWC Staff