The eastern white pine is a magnificent evergreen tree. It towers over most other trees, typically reaching 50-80 feet (15-24 meters), but
This tree was once found nearly everywhere throughout the state of Michigan. The lumber was so sought after that over 160 million trees were cut down as lumber between the years of 1834 and 1897. The wood was used for everything from building the railways to rebuilding the city of Chicago after the great fire of 1871. This lumber was an important source of income for the state. The lumber industry was the financial bridge between the days when the first settlers hunted and traded for fur and the subsequent advent of the automobile industry. Due to its financial importance to the state the eastern white pine was legally made the state tree on October 14, 1955. (Act 7 of 1955)
This is definitely a tree worth learning about! So here are the facts:
Names: Pinus strobus, eastern white pine, white pine, pin blanc, soft pine, weymouth pine, northern white pine. Also known to the Iroquois, Ojibway and Zhingwaak tribes as the "whispering pines" or "the tree of peace".
Needles: Soft, evergreen. 3-5 inches (7.6-12.7cm) long . 5 blue-green needles per fascicle. No fascile sheath.
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| Image from http://www.forestryimages.org |
Twigs: Grey-green to orange-brown color.
Bark: On young trees, the bark is a smooth grey-green color. On older trees, the bark is a thick grey-brown or reddish-brown with prominent ridges. Where Found: Zones 3-8 in xeric northern mine forests and mixed hardwood forests. In Canada they range from Manitoba across to Newfoundland. In the U.S.A. They range from Minnesota to the Atlantic Coast and south along the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia and Alabama. Please click this link to the USDA's map for current range.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to light shade. Seedlings need at least 20% of full sunlight to grow. Prefers moist well-drained loam, but tolerates anything from light sandy soil to heavy textured soil.
Growth Rate: Rapid, about 16 inches per year.
Reproduction & Establishment: Pollination takes place between April and June depending upon latitude. The trees can produce viable seed once they reach an age of 20-30 years. The seed germinates in spring and is dispersed by wind and wild animals.
Pests & Diseases: White pine weevil, pine blister rust, sawfly caterpillars, adelgids, bark beetles, eastern pine shoot moths.
Environmental Importance: The seed feeds: squirrels, voles, mice and 16 species of song bird. The foliage feeds: snowshoe hares, deer and cottontails. The roots of young trees feed pocket gophers. Due to their height, white pines are the nesting site of 81% of bald eagles, 77% of osprey and the cavities house a variety of nesting wildlife. Bears also like to climb white pines as an escape from predators.
Economic / Human Uses: Timber, Christmas trees, erosion control. White pines are often used to stabilize strip mine spoils in the Appalachian coal fields.
Other Interesting Facts:
- White pines are moderately fire resistant. Mature trees can survive most surface fires. Seedlings do not usually survive.
- White pines are drought tolerant.
- Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling, Michigan has a 50 acre stand of virgin white pines as well as a museum of logging history in Michigan. It is a wonderful place to visit!
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Works Cited:
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinstr/all.html <-- The most info is found here.
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