Vick, Albert F. W.
Pinus strobus L.
Eastern white pine, Weymouth pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Eastern white pine is a stately canopy
tree, 75-100 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 states 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.
Image Gallery:
9 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KY , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: 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
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
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
Last Update: 2009-11-06
