Pinus strobus
Eastern White Pine
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 50-80' tall and 20-40' wide under cultivation, but can grow to 150' tall or higher. Largest of the Midwestern and Northeastern conifers. Pyramidal habit. Fast growth rate, one of the fastest growing landscape pines, becoming 50-75' tall in 25-40 years. Long lived, 200-350 years, but only if grown under ideal soil conditions.
Native Range
Kentucky Native — Native range Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Georgia, Illinois and Iowa. Native to southeastern tip of Kentucky. Introduced about 1705.
Flower and Fruit Details
Monoecious flowers, male yellow and in clusters, female pink, late May through mid-July. Fruits in cones, starting at an early age. Sub-terminal, pendulous, 3-8" long by 1.5" broad, stalked, cylindrical, often curved, apex pointed. Scales resinous and light tan brown, early August to mid October, maturing in autumn of second year.
Leaf and Bark Features
Evergreen: Soft needles, 2-5" long, in clusters of 5, color variable but usually light to bluish green. They generally fall off in late summer to early fall of the second year, and the interior of the tree temporarily harbors yellow-brown needles until they fall. Bark is thin, smooth, and grayish-green when young, becoming darker with age; dark grayish brown on old trunks and deeply furrowed longitudinally into broad scaly, 1-2" thick ridges.
Culture and Care
Requires deep, fertile, acid, moist, well-drained soils. Also found growing on rocky ridges and sphagnum bogs. Full sun, can tolerate a little shade. Extremely intolerant of air pollutants and salts, may develop chlorosis in high pH soil. Zone 3-7. Some insect and disease pests, but the main concerns are soil related.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
A very handsome tree, one of the most beautiful native pines. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Susceptible to many problems, especially in alkaline, clay, compacted soils. The accumulation of problems from poor site conditions, eventually causes successive years of the "white pine decline" downward spiral and eventual death of the tree. Ice storms can shear off multiple layers of branches, from top to bottom. Wildlife value is high.
Suggested Uses
Use as an ornamental specimen or tall screening hedge. Also is a very valuable timber species.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' // Columnar Eastern White Pine, Fastigiate Eastern White Pine, Upright Eastern White Pine
Tree. Grows to 70-75' tall and 20-25' wide, ultimately about three times as tall as wide. Narrowly upright and columnar when young, becoming wider with age as the branches ascend at a 45 degree angle from the trunk.
BT005460Pinus strobus 'Golden Candles' // Golden Candles Eastern White Pine
Tree. Shape is broadly-pyramidal, with a moderate growth rate to at least 10-20' tall and 10-15' wide. New candle growth at branch tips is bright yellow for first 6 weeks in the spring, changing to a soft, light green to silver-gray. Some drought tolerance. A good wildlife plant.
BT001516Pinus strobus 'Hillside Winter Gold' // Hillside Winter Gold White Pine
Tree. Grows to 30-70' tall, upright/pyramidal habit. Light green needles turn an attractive, golden-yellow in winter. Brown cones, 4-6" long, are produced starting at age 5-10 years. A good specimen or accent plant.
BT001743Pinus strobus 'Pendula' // Weeping Eastern White Pine
Tree. A very interesting weeping type, 15-25' tall and 10-20' wide, with long branches which sweep the ground. Must be trained in youth to develop a leader. Weeping habit varies from plant to plant. This is an attractive, contorted, weeping form.
BT000310 - BT000320