Pinus strobus
The white pine is a
large, straight-stemmed tree with a pyramidal crown. It grows 50 to 100 feet tall. It usually grows
where there are limestone outcroppings and porous soils with good internal drainage.
The leaves are needles 3 to 5 inches long, bluish green on the upper surface, whitish beneath and occurring in bundles of five. The needles remain on the tree for two years.
The cone
is slender, gradually tapering, 3 to 6 inches long with the ends of the cone scales prominently
light tan to whitish and smooth. Cones are fully grown in the summer of the second season, opening
to discharge seed that autumn.
On small branches and twigs, the bark is smooth. On older branches and the trunk, it breaks into broad, flat topped ridges and is dark gray.
Leaves: needles 3 to 5 in. long and in groups of fives
Cones: slender, thornless, 3 to 10 in. long
Bark: young stems thin, smooth and dark green; mature tree's bark is deeply furrowed.
Height: 80 to 100 ft.
Trunk Diameter: 2 to 3 1/2ft.
Longevity: maturity reached at 150 - 200 yrs.; some reported to be 450 yrs. old
Tolerance: intermediate
Range: southern Canada, Great Lake States, northeast and Appalachian Mountains.
Fun Facts:
- Michigan state tree.
- Tallest one in Marquette, Mich. is 180 ft.
- Largest of the northeastern conifers.
- Only conifer with five needles in a bundle, east of Rocky Mountains.
- One needle for each letter of its first name: W-H-I-T-E.
- Wood used in home construction.
