Description: This coniferous tree is typically 80-120' at maturity. It has an unbranched central trunk up to 4' in diameter and whorls of lateral branches that are more or less horizontal. The crown of the tree is conical, becoming more flat-topped and irregular with age. The bark of the trunk is dark gray and rough; it is fissured into irregular square plates. The bark of smaller branches is gray and smooth with small lenticels. There are 2 types of needles: new growth on the tips of twigs have green needles up to 1" long that are appressed to ascending. More mature twigs have green to blue-green needles 3-5" long that are arranged in clusters of 5 (although some needles may be missing from a cluster). These longer needles are widely spreading, somewhat soft, and slightly twisted; they usually persist for 2 years, after which they turn brown and fall off.
Eastern White Pine
is monoecious, bearing separate pollen (male) and seed (female) cones
on the same tree. The seed cones are wind-pollinated, with the pollen
traveling up to 200-700 ft. The pollen cones occur in spike-like
clusters up to 2" long; these clusters are located behind the new
growth on the tips of twigs. Each pollen cone is yellow, short-ovoid in
shape, and about ½" long. Young seed cones are small and pink; they are
arranged together in small clusters. At maturity, the seed cones are
4-8" long, ellipsoid-cylindric, and grayish brown; they droop downward
on short stalks up to 1" long. The woody scales of mature seed cones
lack prickles. At the base of each scale on a seed cone, there are two
seeds. The body of each seed is about ¼" (5-6 mm.) long, ellipsoid in
shape, and orange-brown; attached to the seed is a pale brown wing
about ¾" in length. The root system is woody, abundantly branched, and
somewhat shallow; there is no taproot. This tree reproduces by
reseeding itself, sometimes forming extensive colonies.
Cultivation:
White Pine prefers full to partial sunlight, well-drained conditions
(moist to dry-mesic), and a rather loose soil that lacks clay. It
adapts particularly well to soil containing sand or sandy loam with a
pH of 4.0–7.0. Highly alkaline soil is not tolerated. White Pine is
vulnerable to White Pine Blister Rust (an introduced disease), intense
heat and drought, strong winds, and air pollution. It is fast-growing
and widely cultivated, preferring a cool and humid climate.
Range & Habitat:
White Pine is native to northern Illinois, where original stands of
this pine are uncommon (see Distribution
Map). However, this pine has been introduced to forested
areas throughout the state. Illinois lies along the southern edge of
the range for this boreal species, which is found primarily around the
Great Lakes, the Northeast, southern Canada, and parts of the
Appalachian Mountains. Habitats include upland woodlands, sandy
woodlands, and forested bogs. This last habitat is less typical than
the others.
Faunal Associations:
Many insects feed on pines, including White Pine. These species include
the caterpillars of many moths (see Moth Table) and the caterpillars of
the butterfly Callophrys nipon (Eastern Pine
Elfin). Other insect feeders include the caterpillars of several
sawflies, the wood-boring larvae of several long-horned beetles, Oecanthus
pini (Pine Tree Cricket), the larvae of Cecidomyia
resinicola (Jack Pine Resin Midge), and several weevils (see Insect
Table for a listing of these species). Pine seeds are an
important source of food to many birds, particularly in boreal areas
(see Bird
Table). The Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Southern Flying
Squirrel, and White-Footed Mouse also eat the seeds. Branches and
needles are eaten by White-Tailed Deer and the Cottontail Rabbit; where
these two animals are abundant, young saplings may not survive. Because
of the good cover, some birds like to nest in pine trees. These species
include the Blue-Headed Vireo, Pine Warbler, Yellow-Throated Warbler,
Black-Throated Green Warbler, Bald Eagle, and several hawks. For the
same reason, some birds prefer to roost in pines; this includes the
Evening Grosbeak and several owls.
Photographic
Location:
The Arboretum at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: This is a tall and stately pine that is justifiably popular. The tallest White Pine on record is about 180' tall, but today such giants are hard to find. At one time, White Pine was the most important lumber tree in New England and the Upper Midwest. Its tall straight trunks were used as masts for sailing ships. Populations declined as a result of excessive cutting, but the rather soft wood still has commercial significance. This pine is easy to identify, because its needles occur in clusters of 5. Other pines that are native or have naturalized in Illinois have their needles in clusters of 2-3. The mature seed cones of White Pine are longer than those of other pines within the state.