Object Details
Description
The state tree of Maine and Missouri, the eastern white pine was logged heavily for ship masts in the 1600, 1700, and 1800s. While few old-growth stands remain, this is still the largest conifer found in eastern and upper Midwest forests.
The eastern white pine is listed as Rare in Indiana.
Hardiness
-40 - 10 F
Ethnobotanical Uses
Used as a Christmas tree. Once heavily logged for masts.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2011-3017A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Evergreen tree
Average Height
50-80'
Bark Characteristics
Gray to gray-green, furrowed to scaly when old. New stems are slightly silvery and smooth.
Cone Characteristics
Light brown, curved with pointed tip, pendant, and often cluster in upper third of tree. 6-8" long.
Foliage Characteristics
Thin, flexible, light green needles with serrated margins and 2 stomatal lines on underside. 5 needles per fasicle. 4" long.
Structure
Young: conical Mature: loses defined shape
Range
C and E Canada to Guatemala
Habitat
Mixed forests with other conifers and broad-leaved trees; 50-2200 meters
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
Common Name
Eastern white pine
Northern white pine
white pine
soft pine
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Pinidae
Order
Pinales
Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Pinus
Species
strobus
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-3017A